Why stress during pregnancy affects your baby’s gut health

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“The upshot is that pregnant women should be pampered if we want the best for their babies.”

By Amanda Jennings Updated Jul. 31, 2025

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Support a mom’s peace, and you support her baby’s future

There’s a growing body of science showing that the stress a pregnant woman experiences doesn’t stay with her—it may affect the baby’s body, brain, and future well-being. The connection lies in something you can’t see but that shapes nearly every system in our body: the microbiome.

According to Psychology Today, “Stress during pregnancy alters hormones including cortisol,” which can shift the mother’s gut microbes—and those changes can be passed on to her baby. Researchers are finding that the microbial inheritance a baby receives from their mother may be just as important as their genetic inheritance.

“Our microbes are not an afterthought. They are an integral part of every animal on the planet, and our bodies accommodate them in countless ways.” —Psychology Today.

How stress in pregnancy can shape your baby’s microbiome

A baby’s microbiome—aka their unique mix of gut bacteria—begins forming even before birth. During pregnancy, the microbes in the vagina gradually shift to prepare for what researchers call a “bacterial baptism” at delivery. These microbes, along with those delivered through breast milk, become a foundational part of a newborn’s health.

But stress changes that. In a 2025 study using rats as a model for human pregnancy, researchers found that when the mother was exposed to chronic stress, her offspring were born with a distinct microbial signature linked to long-term depression. When those microbes were transferred to other rats, they too developed depressive behaviors—suggesting a link between maternal stress, microbiome changes, and mental health outcomes in offspring.

While we can’t ethically stress out human moms in a lab, real-world research shows similar trends. A University of Pittsburgh study found that pregnant women experiencing high levels of stress were more likely to give birth to children who later showed symptoms of ADHD and aggression—effects that lasted well into adolescence.

These findings don’t mean moms should be blamed or held to unrealistic standards. They’re a call to action—for families, partners, communities, and health systems to do better.

“The upshot is that pregnant women should be pampered if we want the best for their babies.” —Psychology Today.

How to protect your peace (and your baby’s health)

No one can eliminate all stress, especially during pregnancy. But small changes can help buffer its effects.

Here are three expert-backed ways to support a healthier microbiome—and a more peaceful pregnancy:

1. Feed your gut, and your baby’s
Fiber-rich foods can help support a healthy gut microbiome, which may also buffer against stress. A high-fiber diet during pregnancy has been shown to improve outcomes for both mom and baby. Try incorporating more:

Beans and lentils
Berries
Onions and garlic
Asparagus
Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi

Even better, invite your partner or a friend to help prep meals. As Psychology Today puts it:

“Steaming or sautéing a few veggies is not a lot to ask to provide optimal results for your kids.”

2. Make rest a priority
Your nervous system and your microbiome are in constant conversation. Gentle movement, slow mornings, a midday nap, or simply doing less are biological necessities.

3. Set boundaries early and often
From work stress to social obligations to unsolicited parenting advice, pregnancy can feel like an open invitation for overwhelm. Create protective boundaries—physical and emotional—that help you stay grounded. Ask for help. Delegate. Say no. These are strategic decisions for your baby’s health.

Your support network matters—now more than ever

Research also shows that moms of color and low-income moms are more likely to experience chronic stress during pregnancy, due to systemic inequalities and lack of access to care. Protecting a pregnant woman’s peace shouldn’t be left solely to her partner or her willpower—it requires a broader cultural shift toward prioritizing maternal health and mental health.

If you’re a loved one, a friend, or a partner to someone who is pregnant, this is your chance to show up. Emotional care is baby care. Helping a mom feel safe, supported, and less stressed is a kind gesture and a health intervention that can shape the next generation.

Sources:
1. Pregnant Moms Need Pampering. July 29, 2025. Psychology Today. Pregnant Moms Need Pampering.
2. The impact of prenatal stress on child behavior. 2016. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The impact of prenatal stress on child behavior.
3. Prebiotic fiber and the maternal microbiome. 2020. Frontiers in Nutrition. Prebiotic fiber and the maternal microbiome.