Pregnancy-specific anxiety and its association with background characteristics and health-related behaviours in a low-risk population

Several studies have shown that psychosocial stress during pregnancy can affect pregnancy outcomes [1 –3]. Among the psychosocial stressors examined to date, pregnancy-specific anxiety is particularly strongly related to adverse outcomes. Pregnancy-specific anxiety refers to worries and fears that are related to a woman's pregnancy and has been shown to be a stronger predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes than general anxiety [4,5] and depression [6,7]. Moreover, pregnancy-specific anxiety has been consistently found associated with preterm birth [8].

Source: Comprehensive Psychiatry - February 5, 2017 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Myrte Westerneng, Anke B. Witteveen, J. Catja Warmelink, Evelien Spelten, Adriaan Honig, Paul de Cock Source Type: research