Government spending cuts are linked to an increase in the number of stress-related miscarriages, according to new research on the health impacts of economic austerity measures, presented at the Royal Economic Society’s 2013 annual conference.

The research reveals that some pregnant women suffer from extreme stress and end up losing their baby following government spending cuts.

The researchers analyzed the effects of recent austerity measures carried out by the Romanian government in 2010 and looked at the effects it had on child birth.

They gathered data on all registered births in Romania over three years, from births just before the new policy changes and after.

They analyzed the health effects that unexpected wage cuts among pregnant women had on their children.

The 25% public sector wage cut that was carried out in Romania significantly affected the health outcomes of newborns.

After the austerity measures, children were 17% less likely to be born with a low birth weight, which meant stronger and healthier babies.

However, following the austerity measures there was a reduction in the number of live births (by 4.5%) among boys compared to normal times.

The result of the austerity measures were stronger, but fewer survivors and an increased probability of miscarriage among weaker male fetuses.

Following the great recession, newborns were stronger because of, what appears to be, a natural selection progress due to early-pregnancy maternal stress.

The authors said: ‘This indicates that the main channel through which children were affected was maternal antenatal stress’.

The finding is extremely relevant to the current current government spending cuts occurring across Europe.

The authors added:

“The effects of the Great Recession may be far more reaching than initially thought. In the light of our study and continued social unrest over austerity measures in Europe, policy-makers should consider that unexpected policy changes may act as sufficiently severe stressors with unexpected or unintended consequences.”

The results highlight how austerity measures can have an effect on fetal mortality.

The authors concluded:

“The effects of the great recession may be more far-reaching than initially thought. In light of continued austerity measures in Europe, policy-makers should consider that unexpected policy changes may act as sufficiently severe stressors with unexpected consequences.”

Miscarriages can be very detrimental to a mother’s health as well; German scientists revealed in a study that women who miscarried or had stillbirths were at a substantially higher risk of heart attack later in life compared to those who had not.

Written by Joseph Nordqvist