Common sense might indicate that if a newly pregnant woman is stressed, she may have a higher risk of miscarriage than one who is not.  This has recently been tested by a group from the University of Michigan, led by Pablo Nepomnaschy, Ph.D. 

This University group followed a population of women from Guatemala for a period of one year.  These women were not pregnant at the onset of the study.  

For this time period, morning urine was collected from these women three times a week.  The level of stress hormone cortisol was noted for each sample. 

During this study, 22 of the 61 women participating conceived during the year.  Only nine of these women carried their pregnancy to term while thirteen of the pregnancies were lost.  Of the women who lost a pregnancy, the average time from conception to the loss was 16 days. 

Women who had high levels of cortisol during the first three weeks of their pregnancy were 2.7 times more likely to miscarry.  Overall, 90% of the high cortisol pregnancies were lost as opposed to the 33% lost from the low levels of cortisol. 

If you are trying to conceive, this indicates that it is best to wait if you are currently in a stressful situation or environment.  Find a time when you are able to relax and enjoy the wonderful beginning of a healthy pregnancy – you won’t regret it!