Q: Can a pregnant woman’s untreated depression or other type of mental illness affect the fetus?
A: The impact of untreated depressive or anxiety disorders during pregnancy can be quite problematic, having a long-lasting impact on the fetus growth and development.
Maternal stress can cause increased level of stress hormones that could impact cognitive development, level of anxiety in the infant. Poor prenatal care or alcohol/drug use in the mom can develop.
It can also lead to an interruption of bonding and attachment that we are trying to address with interventions such as parenting groups at the Institute of Living.
Art Guerra (APRN, BC) is Director of Residential and Adult Outpatient services at the Institute Of Living.
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