Abstract :
Introduction: Maternal stress has been believed to have effect on the developing embryo and foetus in womb. Measuring and addressing stress is not yet part of structured antenatal protocols for pregnant women.
The current study focuses on the association of perceived stress among pregnant women on maternal and foetal outcome.
Materials and Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study on 1000 pregnant women done during the period Nov 2010 to Nov 2012 at Fernandez Hospital, Hyderabad, India. Associations between maternal stress by PSS score and mode of delivery, duration of labour, and foetal outcomes were assessed.
Statistical tools like K-Smirnov test, Fishers exact and KruksalWallis test were used wherever appropriate.
Result: Participant mothers ranged in age from 18 to 42 years. 41.4% were postgraduate. 6.6%, 86.6%, 6.8% had preterm, term and post term deliveries respectively. 799, 102, 95 were average for gestational age babies, large for gestational age babies and small for gestational age babies respectively. PSS (Perceived Stress Scale) questionnaire mean score was 30.73 with standard deviation of 2.44. There was no statistical difference with different modes of deliveries and various neonatal outcomes with third trimester PPS stress score in this study.
Conclusion: Adequate counselling is essential to reduces the maternal stress at various stages of pregnancy and delivery. Assessment of stress should be an integral part of antenatal care.
Keyword :
Psychological stress, Neonatal outcome, Pregnant women, Antenatal counselling.