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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

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Published on: June 13, 2021

Pregnancy sickness: a biopsychological perspective.

Michael S Cardwell¹

¹Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, El Paso, TX 79905, USA. michael.cardwell@ttuhsc.edu

Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey

|November 1, 2012

Summary

Pregnancy sickness, including nausea and vomiting, is common in pregnant women. Recent studies suggest it acts as an embryo-protective mechanism, an evolutionary adaptation to safeguard the developing fetus.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Psychology
Biopsychology
Reproductive Health

Background:

Pregnancy sickness affects 70-85% of pregnant women globally.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and food aversions.
Historically misattributed to psychological factors.

Purpose of the Study:

To present the biopsychological perspective of pregnancy sickness.
To re-evaluate pregnancy sickness as an embryo-protective mechanism.

Main Methods:

Review of evolutionary psychological studies.
Analysis of biopsychological research.

Main Results:

Pregnancy sickness is reconsidered as an adaptive trait.
Evidence suggests it protects the embryo from environmental hazards like phytotoxins.

Conclusions:

Pregnancy sickness serves an evolutionary function.
It is an adaptive mechanism for embryo protection.