Risks to the Unborn: An Umbrella Review on the Effects of Prenatal Maternal Stress Caused by Natural Disasters

• 2025

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• Kaia Bustnes; Sarah Schafer; Linus Held; Hannah Wessels; Maximilian Friehs
PMID: 41017161DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.70108

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This article describes how stress in pregnant women caused by natural disasters can affect their unborn babies. The review looks at many studies and finds that prenatal stress may lead to problems like low birth weight, early birth, and later mental health or learning issues for the child. It explains that stress from events like hurricanes or earthquakes can have long-lasting effects on children’s health. The review suggests that helping pregnant women manage stress during disasters is important for the well-being of both mothers and their babies.

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Tags

Focus Areas: Mental Health; Natural Disasters

Audiences: Behavioral Health Professionals; Nurses; Physicians

Emergency Management Stage: Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Disasters; Fetal Development; Infant, Newborn; Mental Health; Mothers; Natural Disasters; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnant Women; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Risk Factors; Stress, Psychological

Institutions: Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg; University of Twente; University College Dublin

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