Could Child Trauma Begin Before Conception?

This is a much more complicated question thanwhat specific point trauma was initiated. While the
one might think. One of the factors thatspecific moment may be unrecognizable there are
complicate the question is that there exists noelements that can exacerbate the impact of
set, clear and well defined definition of what istrauma on the mother and increase the likelihood
traumatic. There exist a tremendous latitude toof trauma. These are sometimes considered the
what can be traumatic, based on the individual'sprimary factors of acuity. Those acuity factors
resiliency and mental architecture, however thisare INTENSITY, DURATION, and FREQUENCY.
doesn't mean that it is unknowable, merely difficultThese factors would be the same for the mother
to say with any certainty that this or that WILLas for the fetus or newborn child.
lead to trauma when you are dealing with childrenIn an effort to understand the beginning of
or families. An additional complicating factor hastrauma, one would want to understand how the
recently become even more confounding. In themother perceives the intensity of the stressors
field of biology we are becoming more aware ofshe is experiencing. Many researchers feel hesitant
the epigenetic effects that can lead to changes into use such an ambiguous measure, because it is
people. Epigenetic change occurs because ofa challenge to create good statistical analysis
interactions with an environment, rather than awhen each person possesses a highly personalized
shifting of DNA material in the genes. Theseand unique view of what intensity is like for them.
changes appear to be permanent and inheritableDuration, or the length of time between the
for at least several generations.beginning and end of an episode is a little easier to
The range and possibilities for environmentalgrasp and quantify, but even that is somewhat
interactions are infinite and in many wayspersonalized by the perceptions of the individual
incalculable in nature. In this article we will examineexperiencing the stressor. Frequency being the
the effects how anything that interrupts orfinal factor is simply how often a thing occurs that
interferes with the normal psychological, social oris stressful or distressing to the one experiencing
emotional development of a person can lead toit.
epigenetic expressions in their offspring.How INTENSITY, DURATION, and FREQUENCY
For the purposes of this article a focus oninteract collectively becomes vitally important. One
developmental trauma will be used to discuss thecan have a low level of intensity, but if it lasts for
answer to "when can trauma begin?" Micahlong periods of time, or occurs quite often this
Leshem and Alice Shachar-Dadon of thecombination can begin to generate stress that
University of Haifa and Jay Schulkin of thepotentially may overwhelm the future mom's
Georgetown University School of Medicineability to adapt or cope. If one had high intensity,
recently published an article that has resetlong durations and frequent occurrences, it would
psychological thinking about when trauma canbe easy to significantly devastate the emotional,
begin. Their research is also supported by Adelepsychological and even to some extent the
Diamond, Professor of Developmental Cognitivephysical reserves of the future mother.
Neuroscience at the University of British ColumbiaSo when can trauma begin? It is possible for it to
who claims that trauma experienced by a motherbegin to manifest itself in the life of the mother,
prior to pregnancy can increase the likelihood ofsometime before conception. This would suggest
an epigenetic influence her offspring's behavior.that creating more stable environments that are
Together these findings suggest that trauma maywithin a tolerable range of stress prior to
begin for a child before they are even conceived,conception, and maybe significantly before
based on the life experiences and stress levels inconception might be an important factor to
the life of the mother. This is a vital point tosupport healthy emotional and psychological
understand: That the trauma or stressdevelopment in children. It is also likely that
experienced by the mother can create anadolescent mothers might be at greater risk of
environmental press of an epigenetic nature orgenerating epigenetic trauma effects in their
create an atmosphere that can negatively impactoffspring, because of the natural instability of
as yet un-conceived child.adolescence.
Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. of the Child TraumaA cautionary note must be sounded as well;
Academy has long established that exposure tosome readers may misinterpret the thrust of the
stress, accident, poor neonatal care, or maternalwriter's thought process herein. For clarity it must
substance abuse can have severe impact on thebe declared that in no way is the writer blaming
developing fetus and create novel brain patternschild problems on the mother, it is a simple
and sensitivities that later can be manifested inrecognition that a highly stressed future mother
odd or ineffective child behaviors. Perry's researchthat is being subjected to an environment that
coupled with that of Micah Leshem; Aliceoverwhelms her ability to adapt can engender
Shachar-Dadon; Jay Schulkin and Adele Diamondepigenetic activation of trauma for the child.
would clearly warn that trauma can begin throughIn summary, one possible answer to the question
the creation of stressors that are significant in theof when can trauma begin can be answered by
life of the future mother, or the family functioningthe life and environment of the mother before
and future mom's ability to cope with stressors.she gets pregnant, the level of stress during
An additional factor that complicates the questionpregnancy, and the distress in the environment
of when trauma begins is found in individualpostnatally. This should create a thought process
resilience and adaptability on the part of theabout how collectively a society that is stable and
mother. Not all experiences are created equal,supportive can be created and maintained to give
different people experience the same situations inas yet unborn children greater opportunity to
an idiosyncratic or unique way which challengesthrive and prosper.
the ability to be definitive or absolute in stating at