Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Prenatal stress exposure refers to psychological or physical stress experienced by pregnant individuals during pregnancy. This stress can originate from various sources such as environmental factors, personal circumstances, or emotional distress.
Related terms
Maternal Health: Maternal health focuses on the physical and mental well-being of pregnant individuals throughout their pregnancy journey.
Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression caused by external factors (like prenatal stress) that do not alter DNA sequence but can influence how genes function.
Fetal Programming: Fetal programming suggests that experiences during pregnancy may shape long-term outcomes in the offspring, including physical and mental health outcomes.