ANSIEDADE PRÉ-NATAL E SEUS IMPACTOS NA PROGRAMAÇÃO FETAL.

It is known that the presence of mental disorders during the gestational period is capable of impacting the fetus, programming it for the future development of a series of neurobehavioral disorders. The field of science known as the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, responsible for studies on fetal programming, is still quite recent. Thus, the mechanisms involved in intrauterine changes remain under discussion. The objective is to point out evidences regarding fetal programming and discuss the potential of nonpharmacological alternatives in the relief of psychiatric and emotional symptoms in pregnant women. It is an integrative review of literature published in Portuguese and English, preferably between 2010 and 2020, from the PubMed and SciELO databases, as well as on the websites of public and private institutions, national and international. Studies on the impact of maternal suffering on the fetal HPA axis, as well as on epigenetic processes, were discussed. The scenario of the National Policy for Integrative and Complementary Practices in Brazil was analyzed, proposing its use especially for pregnant women. The main mechanisms of fetal programming work in different ways and often together. In relation to the strategies, it was noted that they seem to be really effective for the pregnant public, with one of them having positive effects, including on babies. The scenario in Brazil, however, was considered poor in studies, despite the availability of free services in Primary Health Care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]