This book offers a comprehensive overview of how maternal psychological stress during pregnancy and postpartum affects both maternal health and fetal development. Drawing on the latest research, it explores how stress-related biomarkers like cortisol can cross the placenta, influencing the child’s health from birth through adulthood—and even across generations.
Written by leading experts, the 15 chapters examine the biological and psychological mechanisms involved, including the HPA axis and brain-gut axis. Topics include the impact of stress on pregnancy outcomes (e.g., pre-eclampsia, prematurity, low birth weight), neonatal health (e.g., colic, altered gut microbiota), and long-term risks such as autism, ADHD, and cardiovascular disease.
The book also addresses key stressors—such as intimate partner violence, war, and economic hardship—with a focus on pregnancy-specific stress as particularly harmful.
Essential reading for clinicians, researchers, and students in maternal and neonatal health, this volume also serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and healthcare stakeholders.

Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez holds a position as Associate Professor at University of Granada (Spain) and has published over 70 scientific papers indexed in Journal Citation Report. Previous books include "Fetal Programming: Growth Environment and Prenatal Development" Ed. Anaya (Spanish edition) and "Perinatal Psychology in Health Settings" Ed. Anaya (Spanish Edition) and a chapter entitled "Studying Biomarkers to Assess Perinatal Depression" in "Perinatal Depression and Anxiety in Spanish-Speaking and Latina Women" Ed. Springer. Currently, Dr. Rafael A. Caparros-Gonzalez is Associate Editor in Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology and lead researcher of a research group Ee12-HYGIA: Care and conditioning factors in health at Instituto de Investigacion Biosanitaria Ibs. GRANADA (Spain).Moreover, Dr. Caparros-Gonzalez leads 3 research projects:1. Principal investigator and Scientific Representative of a funded European Union project named CA22114- Maternal Perinatal Stress and Adverse Outcomes in the Offspring: Maximising infant´s Development (TREASURE).2. Principal investigator of a funded European Project named Adverse Birth Experience and Maternal and Child Health (ATHENEA).3. Principal investigator of a National funded project in Spain named Perinatal Psychology and Fetal Programming: Growth and Development before Birth.