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Pregnant women's ailments and psychosocial conditions
1Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Norway.
Pregnant women's ailments may cause anxiety and reduce the quality of life. Sixty-five pregnant women were followed prospectively in antenatal care in general practice, and spontaneously reported ailments not associated with serious pregnancy complications were registered prospectively. The vast majority of pregnant women spontaneously reported one or more ailments. A higher number of ailments was reported by women with psychosocial problems and heavy physical work. Abdominal pain was more often reported by women assessed as having psychosocial problems. Based on background knowledge, clinical observations and a somewhat extended history on the psychosocial situation, it is possible to identify a subgroup of women who experience a more than 50% increase in the frequency of such ailments. Reporting of a high number of ailments in antenatal care may provide the clinician with important clues regarding need for psychosocial support.
Pregnant women's ailments may cause anxiety and reduce the quality of life. Sixty-five pregnant women were followed prospectively in antenatal care in general practice, and spontaneously reported ailments not associated with serious pregnancy complications were registered prospectively. The vast majority of pregnant women spontaneously reported one or more ailments. A higher number of ailments was reported by women with psychosocial problems and heavy physical work. Abdominal pain was more often reported by women assessed as having psychosocial problems. Based on background knowledge, clinical observations and a somewhat extended history on the psychosocial situation, it is possible to identify a subgroup of women who experience a more than 50% increase in the frequency of such ailments. Reporting of a high number of ailments in antenatal care may provide the clinician with important clues regarding need for psychosocial support.