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Stress, pre-term labour and birth outcomes.
M C MacKey1, C A Williams, C M Tiller
1University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|September 30, 2000
Summary
Women experiencing pre-term labor (PTL) reported higher stress levels and poorer birth outcomes. Race and specific daily hassles influenced these outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and social support.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal health
- Psychosocial factors in pregnancy
- Maternal stress and birth outcomes
Background:
- Previous research suggests a link between stress and pre-term labor (PTL) onset and outcomes.
- A direct comparison of stress levels in women with and without PTL has been lacking.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for improving maternal and infant health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare daily hassles and mood states between women with and without PTL.
- To examine birth outcomes in relation to PTL and maternal stress.
- To explore racial differences in stress and birth outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Exploratory study comparing 35 women with PTL and 35 matched controls.
- Data collected on daily hassles and mood states using validated scales (Profile of Mood States, Daily Hassles Scale).
- Birth outcomes including birthweight and gestational age were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Women in the PTL group exhibited higher tension-anxiety and depression-dejection.
- PTL group had lower mean birthweight, shorter gestational age, and higher rates of low birthweight infants.
- Specific racial groups and women with low birthweight infants reported elevated stress scores on various sub-scales.
Conclusions:
- Stress significantly impacts pre-term labor and adverse birth outcomes.
- The interplay of race, stress, and PTL requires further investigation.
- Social support interventions may be vital for preventing pre-term birth, especially after an episode of PTL.