Investigating prenatal perceived support as protective factor against adverse birth outcomes: a community cohort study

ABSTRACT

Background

Studies show that prenatal maternal anxiety may act as a risk factor for adverse birth outcomes, whilst prenatal social support may rather act as a protective factor. However, studies examining prenatal anxiety symptoms, prenatal perceived support, and neonatal and/or obstetric outcomes are lacking.

Objective

This study investigated whether, in a community sample, prenatal perceived support: (1) had a protective influence on birth outcomes (gestational age (GA), birthweight (BW), 5-minute Apgar score, and mode of delivery); (2) acted as a protective factor, moderating the relationship between anxiety symptoms and the aforementioned birth outcomes.

Method

During their third trimester of pregnancy, 182 nulliparous child-bearers completed standardized questionnaires of anxiety (HADS-A) and perceived support (MOS-SSS). Birth outcomes data was extracted from medical records.

Results

(1) Perceived support did not significantly predict any birth outcomes. However, perceived tangible support – MOS-SSS subscale assessing perceived material/financial aid – significantly positively predicted the 5-minute Apgar score. (2) Perceived support did not significantly moderate the relationship between anxiety symptoms and birth outcomes. However, perceived tangible support significantly moderated the relationship between anxiety symptoms and the 5-minute Apgar score.

Conclusion

When experienced within non-clinical thresholds, prenatal anxiety symptoms do not increase the risk of adverse neonatal and obstetric outcomes when perceived support is present.

KEYWORDS:

• Birth outcomes
• prenatal anxiety
• social support
• maternal mental health
• pregnancy

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Prof. Dominik Schöbi (University of Fribourg, Switzerland) for his advice and all the child-bearers who agreed to participate in this study. Furthermore, we are grateful to the Lausanne Perinatal Research Group, especially Cassie Pernet, Joanne Horisberger, Lara Schütz, Yasmina Lotfi Mahmoud, Lauranne Jan du Chêne, Priska Udriot, Anna Favero, Leah Gilbert, and Céline Favrod for their precious help with recruitment and data collection. Finally, we thank Professors Tolsa, Vial, and Baud for institutional support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).