High Anxiety Levels before Elective Cesarean Section Can Negatively Affect the Mother and Fetus

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

• Pregnancy and surgical procedures, such as cesarean section (CS), are common sources of anxiety for expectant mothers.
• Elevated anxiety levels during this period can potentially lead to adverse feto-maternal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between preoperative anxiety levels and feto-maternal outcomes in women undergoing elective cesarean section (CS).

Main Methods:

• Preoperative anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in 224 women scheduled for elective CS.
• Participants were categorized into low, moderate, and high anxiety groups based on their STAI scores.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of women experienced moderate to high anxiety (66.5%).
• Lower birth weight was observed in the high anxiety group compared to the low anxiety group (P = 0.018).
• Maternal heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were elevated in the high anxiety group post-cesarean section.

Conclusions:

• Increased preoperative anxiety scores before CS are associated with adverse neonatal outcomes, specifically lower birth weight.
• Elevated maternal heart rate and DBP were also linked to higher anxiety levels.
• Anxiety management strategies may be beneficial for improving feto-maternal health during cesarean birth.