Association of Pregnancy Anxiety, Preterm Labor and Premature Birth among Low Risk Pregnant Women

Anne Pauline  T. Gener,; Esmarliza  K. Tacud-Luzon,

Association of Pregnancy Anxiety, Preterm Labor and Premature Birth among Low Risk Pregnant Women

Anne Pauline T. Gener | Esmarliza K. Tacud-Luzon

Abstract:

Introduction: Mental health problem, including anxiety is common among pregnant women. It is an important to study women’s anxiety at various points throughout their pregnancy. Objective: The study aimed to determine socio-demographic profile of mothers seen at MCU-FDT Medical Foundation; to identify the number of cases of preterm labor and preterm birth among pregnant mothers with pregnancy anxiety; and associate the pregnancy anxiety with preterm labor and premature birth with socio-demographic profiles of the pregnant mothers. Methodology: A prospective, cohort research design of 93 pregnant mothers, of less than 28 weeks and classified under low risk pregnancy, under direct medical management of MCU-FDT Medical Foundation were recruited purposively. They were asked to answer the validated Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) questionnaire in Tagalog version, along with identifying socio-demographic characteristics. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Majority of the respondents were single mothers (58.1%), 21-25 years old (32.3%), either currently employed (46.2%) or a housewife (40.9%). Majority of the respondents have normal BMI (68.8%), were G1P1 (45.2%) and currently at 2nd trimester of pregnancy (78.5%). There are 45.2% and 22.6% of the pregnant mothers who experienced preterm labor and premature birth, respectively. Among all the cases, there were 26 and 12 cases with pregnancy anxiety correspondingly. There was no statistically significant association with different socio-demographic characteristics and pregnancy anxiety with preterm labor and with preterm birth. Only age of gestation was significantly associated with pregnancy anxiety with preterm birth (p=0.03), occurring during the 1st trimester (40%). Conclusion: Maternal anxiety symptoms during pregnancy were not shown to be associated with preterm labor and birth. Bigger, prospective studies to further check on socio-demographic covariates are recommended.