Stressed women more likely to have baby girls

London: Women who are stressed while trying for a baby could be more likely to have girls, according to new research.

In the first of its kind, a study found high levels of the stress hormone cortisol were associated with the birth of more girls than boys.

Some 338 British women who were trying to get pregnant recorded how stressed they felt.

Levels of cortisol and the enzyme alpha-amylase – an indicator of adrenalin – were measured for up to six months or until they fell pregnant. Cortisol is linked to long-term stress, while adrenalin is linked to short-term stress.   More Read