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Stress, immune function, and relationship to pregnancy outcome
1Health Care of Women and Childbearing Families Division, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
The Nursing Clinics of North America
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Pregnancy and postpartum involve natural immune suppression, which can worsen with stress. This article reviews the mechanisms of immunosuppression and research on stress during childbearing.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Stress physiology
Background:
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period are characterized by significant physiological changes, including a state of natural immunosuppression.
- This immunosuppression is crucial for successful gestation but can increase susceptibility to infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the normal mechanisms of immunosuppression during the puerperium (postpartum period).
- To examine existing research on the impact of stress on immune function during childbearing.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on maternal immunosuppression.
- Analysis of research investigating the relationship between stress and immune responses in pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Main Results:
- The puerperium involves complex immune modulation.
- Stress has been shown to potentially exacerbate the natural immunosuppressive state during this period.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the interplay between immunosuppression and stress is vital for maternal health.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the effects of stress on the postpartum immune system.