INTRODUCTION
The normal growth and development of the fetus can be adversely affected by a number of factors such as infections, complications of pregnancy such as pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) or diabetes, teratogens, and psychosomatic stress. Pregnancy is a unique state of physiologic stress which necessitates physical, mental, and social adaptation. In earlier observational studies in the 1960s, psychosocial measures have been examined as possible risk factors contributing to adverse birth outcomes.