“The link between maternal mental illness and adverse birth outcomes is well established” with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology currently recommending screening of all patients for depression during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Studies of women who became pregnant and give birth during famine confirm an association between maternal malnutrition and “small for gestational age (SGA)” babies (birth weight <10% for gestational age).
Failure of appropriate growth with delivery of an SGA baby (10% of newborns) occurs from a variety of maternal, fetal and placental risk factors (through various mechanisms that all end in reduced uterine placental perfusion and decreased transfer of fetal oxygen and nutrition). To date there are no evidence-based strategies to prevent SGA birth.
A randomized clinical trial investigated whether pregnancy interventions (1,221 to receive a Mediterranean diet, 407 a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention and 407 usual prenatal care) targeting maternal stress and nutrition of high-risk mothers (at 19 weeks – 0 days though 23 weeks – 6 days gestation) could reduce the risk for SGA birth.
14% of singleton pregnancy outcomes result in a SGA baby following a maternal Mediterranean diet, and 15.6% occur after a mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention (compared to 21.9% for those in usual prenatal care).
Both a nutrition and a mindfulness intervention program during pregnancy results in significantly improved SGA outcomes.
