Autism linked to major pregnancy stress.

[Antheia]

Have pm'ed you the link Yeddi.

[Freya]

Hmm Ds2 is currently undergoing assessment for ASD and my pregnancy with him was beyond stressful between 20-37wks. I always wonder if my pregnancy being so bad is the reason he is what he is. Could you pm me the article link to please?

[Sterla]

Well, if there's any truth to this article, I may have something to worry about in the future .

DH was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma when I was about 20 weeks pregnant, and he was going through all the tests, then treatment - which he finishes in a couple of days when I'll be 32 weeks pregnant. So, basically having the higher levels of stress through the exact part of pregnancy they're talking about.

[Nelle]

If it's not a commercial site, I think you can link here.

It's very interesting. Though I have in mind generations whose parents experienced war or other traumatic things - surely not all those children were affected? Extreme stress might turn out to be a factor, but I'm not sure I'd put all my eggs in one blame-basket when it comes to spectrum disorders. xo

[christy]

Hmm.... I didn't have any stress at all, in fact life was amazing... DD1 has autism.

[Early Kids]

It's very interesting. Though I have in mind generations whose parents experienced war or other traumatic things - surely not all those children were affected? Extreme stress might turn out to be a factor, but I'm not sure I'd put all my eggs in one blame-basket when it comes to spectrum disorders. xo

I agree, I wouldn't blame stress as the sole cause.

The article is interesting, I have felt for a long time that my pregnancy complications, stress and his birth has meant he is the way he is. Especially given that there is no history of any disorders in either family (Asthma and Eczema is about the only thing in our families....)

[Yeddi]

Nor would I. I still believe that autism is about toxic load but the chemical changes that could occur when mother is stressed could explain some things. Stress will produce adrenaline, the flight or fight hormone. This could mean PPD kids bodies could have built up a tolerance to chemical danger responses, and just like how a drug addict needs bigger and bigger doses to get high, the level of toxic substances they are exposed to have to be fairly high before their system reacts them. Therefore, if the substances are on the smaller side, they hold on them rather than process them because their bodies haven't recognised the threat. Just thinking out loud...

[~Raven~]

I wasn't stressed with M's PG

[Antheia]

Look, im not saying Stress = Autism. I had a very stressful pregnancy with DS with losing my mum and I had a really bad time with his birth. His problems got me wondering if what happened to me was a cause. We don't have any history of ASD. We stopped vaccinating at 12 months so the MMR could be another cause.

I guess we'll never know what causes it. But it's interesting nonetheless.