Extreme Weather and Pregnancy

Extreme weather can worsen prenatal depression in mothers which could harm their (unborn) children. Things such as severe storms, floods, and wildfires classify as extreme weather and can leave their victims with PTSD. Since the climate is rapidly changing there is a growing threat to mental health. Scientists are exploring the idea that these symptoms caused by these natural disasters could move onto the next generation. Researchers are able to recognize that external factors can cause genetic changes in utero which are referred to as epigenetics. A scientist by the name of Patrizia Casaccia says that the effects might not be transient and could really take a toll on an entire family (mother and child). Hurricane Sandy and the California Wildfires are some examples of disasters that could have impacted unborn children and their mothers.