More data that confirms the negative effects of stress during pregnancy has been published in the September-October 2006 edition of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

This study found that women experiencing significant stress have smaller fetuses at mid-pregnancy than other mothers who are not distressed. The lead researcher on this team, Dr. Miguel Diego at the Universiof Miami School of Medicine, attributes the difference to the hormone cortisol, which is released by the adrenal gland in times of stress.

And Dr. Diego is quoted by a Reuters reporter with this recommendation: "Women who have clinical depression or diagnosed anxiety disorder, or are under some extreme level of stress, should be looking for some sort of medical treatment."

Prior to this study, none have looked at how stress during pregnancy affects the fetus before birth - although a number of studies have found a statistically significant link between maternal distress and premature delivery, as well as low birthweight.