Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 1, 2025

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

3.1K

The Association between Psychosocial Stressors and Gestational Weight Gain: Analysis of the National Pregnancy Risk

Shilpi S Mehta-Lee1, Ghislaine C Echevarria2, Sara G Brubaker3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Langone Health/NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Shilpi.mehta-lee@nyulangone.org.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|March 1, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Financial stress during pregnancy is linked to excessive gestational weight gain (GWG). This finding highlights the importance of addressing stress in prenatal care to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Public Health
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain (GWG) are independently linked to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.
  • Previous studies on the association between psychosocial stress and GWG have produced inconsistent results.
  • This study aimed to clarify the relationship between psychosocial stress and GWG in a large population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between maternal psychosocial stress and gestational weight gain (GWG) in a large, population-based cohort.
  • To investigate how different domains of psychosocial stress (traumatic, financial, emotional, partner-related) relate to GWG.
  • To provide evidence for informing prenatal care initiatives.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Phase 7 questionnaire (2012-2015).
  • Assessed maternal psychosocial stress across four domains (traumatic, financial, emotional, partner-related).
  • Categorized GWG into inadequate, adequate, or excessive based on pre-pregnancy BMI and total GWG, using Institute of Medicine guidelines. Employed multinomial logistic regression, accounting for complex survey design.

Main Results:

  • Included 119,183 participants who delivered at ≥37 weeks gestation with available GWG data.
  • Financial stress was significantly associated with an increased risk of excessive GWG (RRR 1.09 [95%CI: 1.02-1.17]) after adjusting for confounders.
  • No significant association was found between exposure to any stressor group and an increased risk of inadequate GWG.

Conclusions:

  • Financial stress during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of excessive gestational weight gain in the US.
  • Understanding the impact of stress on GWG is crucial for developing targeted prenatal care strategies.
  • This research underscores the need to incorporate stress management into routine prenatal care.
Abstract

Keywords:
Gestational Weight gainPRAMSPregnancyPsychosocial Stress

More Related Videos

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents07:30

Using Chronic Social Stress to Model Postpartum Depression in Lactating Rodents

Published on: June 10, 2013

24.8K
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

12.8K

Related Concept Videos

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
30
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
109
Stress and Mental Health01:30

Stress and Mental Health

Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
157
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
54
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer01:19

Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer

Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
29
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV01:26

Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
29