Abstract
The historical value Azerbaijan has placed on motherhood and the concept of the “inviolability” of an expectant mother is currently facing challenges. A lack of awareness among certain segments of society has led to expectant mothers encountering various hardships during the perinatal period. This, in turn, directly or indirectly affects the developing fetus. A fetus in utero is nourished not only by the food the mother consumes but also by her experiences, thoughts, and emotions. When these emotions are rooted in negativity and anxiety, it becomes inevitable for the newborn to enter the world with similar predispositions, leading to various issues in future generations.
This scientific article examines the impact of a mother’s psychological distress during the perinatal period on the health of the unborn child. The hypothesis presented is that a fetus exposed to high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone – have been linked to changes in infant brain development of the amygdala, which is involves in children’s social and emotional development) may fail to integrate successfully post-birth or may face various limitations due to impaired cognitive and emotional skills later in life.
Keywords: perinatal period, integration process, children with special needs, psychological distress, impairment, maternal affection, developmental delay.
Introduction
The impact of parental influence and tactile stimulation on child development is an empirically established fact. International human rights standards, including those pertaining to gender equality, recognize the right of the fetus to be protected from the moment of conception [1]. Principles of gender equality emphasize that the influence of both the father and the mother is of equal importance within the family unit [2]. However, it must be highlighted that the bond between the mother and the fetus, unlike that of the father, begins to strengthen before birth [3].
This bond is the essence of integration. Integration, in terms of its significance and functionality, is a complex, multifaceted process. Socio-cultural factors define integration as an individual’s holistic adaptation to their environment [8] . This raises a critical question: how does the integration process initiate in an infant, particularly in those with disabilities? Maternal care is indispensable for children with health limitations, as these infants possess a more sensitive physiological and psychological constitution, often requiring a regulated maternal-infant interaction. Consequently, it can be hypothesized that the effective organization of integration begins with the parent. Although this serves as the initial stage, it constitutes the foundation for long-term development – a foundation rooted in family, affection and care.
Stress and pregnancy
There are various types of developmental disabilities, each distinct in its etiology and prognosis. This study presents a hypothesis suggesting that maternal depressive disorders and negative cognitive patterns during pregnancy may increase the probability of developmental limitations in the child. In the 21st century, maintaining psychological resilience during the prenatal period remains a significant challenge for expectant mothers. Anxiety and concerns regarding maternal health are natural; however, chronic psychological distress may adversely affect the fetus. If a woman experiences persistent stress or pervasive anxious thoughts, it may lead to irreversible developmental consequences [4]. While acute stress is often transient, the continuous elevation of stress hormones (specifically cortisol) in the maternal bloodstream can directly impair the fetal developmental environment, potentially causing various developmental delays [5].
Naturally, the question arises: why would a mother, whose biological drive from the moment of conception is to protect her offspring, subject her fetus to such dangerous conditions? Among the significant factors contributing to maternal psychological distress are previous traumatic experiences, which can leave a mother more anxious and stressed during subsequent pregnancies. Furthermore, financial hardship or the loss of a spouse or close family member during pregnancy are profound contributors [7]. If a mother experiences the loss of a child or multiple unsuccessful pregnancy attempts, these traumatic experiences can become reactivated during a new pregnancy, potentially leading to emotional detachment from the fetus. This disrupts the maternal-fetal bond before birth; if this essential connection fails to activate postpartum, the infant cannot successfully navigate the integration process during their most vulnerable stage[6].
This period represents the stage where the infant’s need for maternal care is most critical. The fetal brain begins its formation in the first trimester—a sophisticated process spanning many weeks. Any factors that disrupt this developmental trajectory during gestation can weaken the child’s cognitive and emotional foundations. Severe impairment of cognitive faculties may lead to future intellectual delays, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or executive dysfunction. Simultaneously, emotional trauma can hinder the child’s ability to perceive themselves and their social environment, stifling the development of motivation and empathy. Furthermore, infants deprived of maternal affection face the risk of delayed motor skill acquisition. For instance, this may manifest as an inability to perform the palmar grasp reflex in the early months, a failure to firmly grip objects, or a lack of hand-to-hand coordination in later stages of development.
Prenatal Psychological Distress and Maternal-Fetal Outcomes: A correlational study
To investigate the proposed hypothesis, a survey was conducted in Azerbaijan during the current year among mothers of children with various health limitations. The study involved 276 parents (predominantly mothers) of children diagnosed with various conditions, including Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, Autism, Developmental Delay, Genetic Disorders, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). When queried regarding their experience of maternal distress, encompassing feelings of anxiety, fear, psychological strain, and chronic stress during the gestational period, 140 mothers responded affirmatively (‘Yes’), while 105 responded negatively (‘No’). The remaining 31 participants declined to answer the question. These figures statistically support the probability of stress as a triggering factor in fetal development; however, they also indicate that a child’s health limitation is not exclusively attributable to maternal stress. Consequently, while the 57% to 43% ratio does not fully validate the hypothesis of prenatal stress as a solitary cause, it indicates a significant correlation between these two variables.
5. Coussons-Read ME. Effects of prenatal stress on pregnancy and human development: mechanisms and pathways. Obstet Med. 2013 Jun;6(2):52-57. doi: 10.1177/1753495X12473751. Epub 2013 May 3. PMID: 27757157; PMCID: PMC5052760.
6. Khamidullina, Z., Marat, A., Muratbekova, S., Mustapayeva, N. M., Chingayeva, G. N., Shepetov, A. M., Ibatova, S. S., Terzic, M., & Aimagambetova, G. (2025). Postpartum Depression Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Management: An Appraisal of the Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(7), 2418. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072418
7. https://healthpolicy.fsi.stanford.edu/news/new-publication-shows-link-between-losing-relative-during-pregnancy-and-mental-health-child
8. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/pain-loss-and-suffering/202012/the-process-integration
BY: Writer Sayali Khanim Hajisoy Vidadi is a MA Candidate, Department of Master’s and Doctoral Studies of Azerbaijan State Pedagogical University.
