[Stormster]

Originally Posted by Whirled_Peas

I also worry about the stress she underwent during the pregnancy. Bmom was so stressed. There are studies showing that children who gestated during war have increased risk of schizophrenia because of maternal stress. We really know very little about the mom and nothing about the dad. We don't know their mental health background. I just can't bear the thought that she could end up with a mental illness because I couldn't care for her before she was born. I'm doing everything there is to be done to help her brain grow right--I'm nursing her, I wear her constantly, and we co-sleep. All that contact is what she needs to help her brain (brain connections need touch to form.) I guess we all have to worry about something. At least I'm worrying about something that I can take actions for.

Anyways, I'm really enjoying everyone's comments and I hope to read more. Thanks for your input.

Not being able to control the pre natal environment is part of what we as adoptive parents sign up for. I really think you need to just let her be. If every kid born to a stressed out mother got schizophrenia the entire world would be a giant mental health facility! I could understand your fears if the baby was drug or alcohol exposed but I really think you're going some place you don't need to go. BTW my own brother has schizophrenia and it's been blamed on everything from environment to genetics to diet and much much more. It's always going to be something. Environment counts for a LOT with mental illness. Look at the babies of Korean and Vietnamese mothers during the wars there. Those women didn't have a higher incidence of miscarriage and I believe that the children didn't have a higher incidence of mental illness than the rest of the population. (I have to dig up those studies). It's because of the diet and environment and I also remember reading that the babies who were carried had lower incidence of PTSD. Just be the great mother you are!