Sense of coherence predicts uncomplicated delivery: a prospective observational study

The present study aimed to investigate factors predicting uncomplicated deliveries and specifically whether a sense of coherence (SOC) and perceived stress can predict such deliveries. A prospective observational study was conducted employing self-administered SOC and perceived stress scale (PSS) questionnaires with pregnant women attending the outpatient clinic for routine surveillance. Following delivery, data regarding maternal and fetal delivery complications were collected from the participants' medical records. Of one hundred forty-five women completing the study, 43.4% completed the delivery process without complications. Women experiencing delivery complications, on average, had lower SOC scores (67.7 +/- 1.19 vs. 72.2 +/- 1.32, p = 0.014). Maternal complications (as opposed to fetal complications) accounted for this divergence and were related to lower SOC scores (67.74 +/- 1.19 vs. 72.18 +/- 1.32, p = 0.01). PSS was not associated with uncomplicated delivery (18.82 +/- 0.59 vs. 17.98 +/- 0.62, p = 0.341). Nulliparity, however, was associated with higher occurrence of complicated delivery (31.9% of complicated vs. 13.2% of uncomplicated deliveries, p = 0.007). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that high SOC (OR = 1.042; 95% CI = 1.004-1.08; p = 0.03) and nulliparity (OR = 0.293; 95% CI = 0.113-0.758; p = 0.011) both were independent predictors of uncomplicated delivery, directly and inversely, respectively. In conclusion, higher SOC scores are an independent protective factor for the prediction of uncomplicated delivery.