Overview
The current proposal aims to investigate the impact of acute stress on the fetal autonomic nervous system.
Description
Over the last decades there is growing evidence that increased maternal stress levels lead to an adverse effect on the physiological, metabolic and neuronal development of the fetus during gestation with possible long-lasting effects. Several studies showed that maternal stress also affects fetal endocrine processes during pregnancy and increases the risk for childhood and adult obesity. Thus, the aim of the study is to investigate the effect of acute stress related to the action of the artificial glucocorticoid betamethasone on fetal heart and brain activity. The fetal activity will be measured with biomagnetic sensors.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- German speakers (fluently)
- Gestational age between 28 and 34 weeks
- Treatment with Betamethasone for improvement of fetal lung function -
Exclusion Criteria:
- Smoking (regularly)
- Alcohol and drug consumption during pregnancy
- Congenital fetal disorders
- Women with bed rest
- acute depression or other psychiatric disorder (self report)