Stillbirth likelihood in pregnant women suffering from stress: A short review

Abstract

Experiencing stress during pregnancy can increase about two times the probability of stillbirth in a pregnant woman. Given that the cause of stillbirth is not known but quitting smoking, having a balanced weight or maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding drugs, controlling blood pressure and diabetes can decrease its occurrence. Trauma, infection, genetics, lupus, coagulopathy, preeclampsia and alcohol consumption increase the chance of stillbirth. For most women, pregnancy is very stressful and it can even be said that it is the biggest stress in every woman's life and is associated with stillbirth. It is reported that approximately 1.18 times higher risk of stillbirth in mothers who had lost any first-degree relative the year before or during pregnancy. Due to the important role of stress in pregnancy, it is essential to have psychological interventions targeting women with previous miscarriages or stillbirths to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.