Diurnal rhythm of cortisol during late pregnancy: Associations with maternal psychological well-being and fetal growth

Maternal psychological functioning during pregnancy affects both maternal and fetal well-being. The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis provides one mechanism through which maternal psychosocial factors may be transduced to the fetus. However, few studies have examined maternal psychological factors or birth outcomes in relation to the diurnal pattern of cortisol across the day. The current study examined maternal psychological well-being,...