Before the beginning: exposure to Covid-19 related stress in the preconception period and its importance for future pregnancy health.

Maternal prenatal stress adversely affects pregnancy health and fetal development. Exposure to stress, however, is unlikely to occur immediately following conception, and pregnancy health is not independent of health prior to conception. However, there is a dearth of studies on stress exposure effects during the preconception period. This study aims is to investigate whether, how, and under which conditions exposure to Covid-19 related stress forecasts pregnancy health in (future) mothers and fathers with a current child wish.