Mother who fought case from sick bed

Kimberly Quinn fought against the application by David Blunkett from a hospital bed.

Seven months pregnant Mrs Quinn was taken to St Mary's, Paddington on Tuesday after collapsing at home. She was said to be vomiting and had lost weight.

She attempted to argue that the hearing this week should not go ahead because the strain would put her own health and that of her unborn child at risk.

Instead, she wanted the hearing delayed until April. But the judge, Mr Justice Ryder, ruled that the 44-year-old Spectator publisher was well enough to instruct her legal team even though he accepted that she was experiencing "relatively severe complications" with the pregnancy.

However, today's hearing renews speculation about the state of her health at the time she became caught up in a high-profile battle with Mr Blunkett. Although she is not currently working as Spectator publisher, she has held a demanding job.

Today experts said that high levels of stress can cause serious complications during pregnancy that harm both mother and child.

Because of her age, Mrs Quinn is more likely to suffer complications and with the case coming to court now, it is a delicate time.

When a high level of stress continues for a long period, it may contribute to potentially serious health problems, such as lowered resistance to infectious diseases, high blood pressure and heart disease.

Some studies have shown that very high levels of stress can increase the risk of premature birth - Mrs Quinn's husband Stephen has already expressed his concern about this. There is also a risk of low birth weight.

Stress in the later stages of pregnancy can have devastating consequences. Studies have suggested that stress-related hormones constrict blood flow to the placenta so the baby does not receive the nutrients and oxygen it needs.

Research has found that women with stressful jobs are more likely to develop pre-eclampsia, which can be

a dangerous condition in which the blood pressure goes too high. There is also a concern that high levels of stress may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Major stressful events during pregnancy such as the death of a partner or job loss have been linked to autism in children.

There is a growing body of evidence to show that stress during pregnancy affects the baby's heart rate and may have long-term consequences for the cardiovascular system.