maternal programming

Maternal programming refers to how environmental factors and health conditions experienced by a mother during pregnancy can influence her baby's development and future health. For example, a mother’s nutrition, stress levels, or exposure to toxins can affect the developing fetus’s organs, immune system, and metabolism. These influences can shape the child's risk for certain diseases or health conditions later in life. Essentially, maternal programming involves how prenatal experiences “set the stage” for the child's long-term well-being, emphasizing the importance of a healthy pregnancy for optimal child development.