A retrospective review by Weinstock (2005) examined the impact of stress-based hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy on offspring. Based on animal experiments and human surveys, the study concluded that chronic maternal stress correlates with premature birth and low birth weight. Prolonged maternal stress also alters the fetal environment, which can lead to offspring developmental delays, such as slower walking and speech development, as well as an increased risk for conditions like Tourette’s syndrome.