Stress and cortisol regulation during pregnancy: Implications for cognitive behavioral stress management among low-income women

Stress experienced during pregnancy can lead to significant long-term health problems for mothers and their infants. At greatest risk are low-income women. One biological mechanism that has been identified in heightening a woman’s risk for health complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period is the stress hormone cortisol. However, the best methods for regulating cortisol, in order to optimize maternal and infant health outcomes, have received little attention. This chapter reviews our work in examining the impact of cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) interventions on regulating pre- and postnatal cortisol and identifying mechanisms that may lead to intervention effects. The results of our work suggest that CBSM interventions are highly needed among low-income pregnant women and have strong potential to effectively regulate elevated cortisol and stress levels, as well as help prevent the onset of future stress-related health complications in this population.