Good nutrition during pregnancy is one of the most powerful investments we can make in a child’s future. From the earliest weeks of gestation, the food a mother consumes helps build the foundation for her baby’s physical growth, brain development, and lifelong health. But nutrition is just one part of a broader picture: a pregnant woman’s emotional wellbeing, access to support, and experience of safety also profoundly influence her child’s future.
Our commitment to a two-generation approach supporting both mother and child comes from both personal experience and over three decades of research. We now know with scientific certainty: the conditions of pregnancy shape children’s long-term outcomes.
Adequate and nutritious food, especially when paired with prenatal care and mental health support, reduces the risk of complications such as low birth weight and preterm birth. Yet nutrition alone is not enough. A pregnant woman’s psychological health is deeply intertwined with her baby’s development. Chronic stress, anxiety, and trauma during pregnancy can disrupt biological systems in ways that affect the child’s emotional regulation, behavior, and even brain connectivity.
One landmark study (O’Donnell et al., 2014) found that high maternal anxiety during pregnancy doubled the risk of children developing behavioral health problems like ADHD and anxiety. More recent research (Babineau et al., 2022) shows similar patterns for maternal depression and stress. However, the same body of research gives us hope: maternal wellbeing can be protected and strengthened—and doing so improves outcomes for the child.
A growing body of evidence (Imanishi et al., 2024) shows that social support during pregnancy—having people to help with emotional and practical needs—is linked to reduced risks of developmental delays in young children. Likewise, lower stress and stronger social support networks are associated with reduced risk of preterm birth (Walsh et al., 2019). These findings underscore the power of community, connection, and care.
Biological research offers further insight. Our studies at Columbia University found that maternal depression during pregnancy is linked to altered brain connectivity in the newborn—particularly in circuits that regulate fear and emotional reactivity (Posner et al., 2016). These changes may make a child more sensitive to stress and novelty. Conversely, a baby whose mother experienced low stress and strong emotional support during pregnancy is more likely to develop flexibility, confidence, and trust.
Other research (Monk et al., 2016; Scorza et al., 2023) has identified how maternal stress and even childhood trauma can leave biological imprints on the unborn child—through changes in DNA methylation in the placenta or newborn cord blood. These biological pathways are linked to neural development, immune function, and emotional regulation.
Fortunately, we can intervene. When pregnant women receive adequate nutrition, mental health support, and practical resources like childcare guidance and leave policies, they are more likely to transition into parenthood with confidence. Their babies benefit from reduced exposure to stress hormones and from more nurturing early environments.
In my clinical practice, I witness this change in real time. When women gain tools to manage stress and feel heard and supported, they are better able to enjoy the transformative experience of pregnancy—and their babies are more likely to thrive.
This care must go beyond monitoring weight gain and fetal heartbeat. Prenatal visits should also address emotional wellbeing, stress reduction, nutrition counseling, and preparation for postpartum challenges. Community doulas, peer networks, and digital support groups can make this support more accessible without overburdening clinical providers.
Even simple interventions matter. For example, online drop-in groups facilitated by health and mental health professionals can help reduce isolation and offer reliable information. Social media can spread science-based messages to reduce stigma and normalize feelings like ambivalence—reminding mothers-to-be that complex emotions are normal and do not diminish their ability to parent.
We also know that timing matters. The best time to prepare for the mental and emotional transition to motherhood is before the baby arrives. During pregnancy, there is a window of opportunity to strengthen support systems, address conflict in relationships, and learn the signs of perinatal mental illness. These actions prepare not just the mother—but the child—for a better start.
Today, nearly 30 years of science confirms that the prenatal period is a critical time for shaping a child’s future. While pregnancy is not deterministic, and many children thrive despite maternal stress, the evidence is clear: reducing stress and increasing support during pregnancy—beginning with adequate nutrition—is a small investment with lifelong benefits.
By embracing a two-generation approach that integrates nutrition, mental health, and emotional support, we can nourish not only mothers but entire generations to come.