KEY POINTS
Anxiety, depression, and stress in pregnancy are risk
factors for adverse outcomes for mothers and children.
Anxiety regarding a current pregnancy (‘pregnancy
anxiety’) is associated with shorter gestation and has
adverse implications for preterm birth, fetal
neurodevelopment and child outcomes.
Chronic strain (including long-term exposure to racism)
and depressive symptoms in mothers during pregnancy
are associated with lower birth weight with many
potential adverse consequences.
These distinguishable risk factors and related pathways
to distinct birth outcomes merit further investigation.
It is critical to agree upon the signs, symptoms and
diagnostic thresholds that warrant prenatal intervention
and to develop efficient, effective, and ecologically
valid screening and intervention strategies that can be
used widely.