Relation Between Positive and Negative Maternal Emotional States and Obstetrical Outcomes

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study whether positive and negative maternal emotional states were related to obstetrical outcomes in 205 women who participated in a study conducted between 2004 and 2007 in the Sant Joan University Hospital of Reus, Spain. Maternal anxiety and positive emotional states were assessed using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. The obstetrical outcomes of interest were gestational age at birth, birth weight, and mode of delivery. More women with lower anxiety levels and a more positive state of mind had normal deliveries. Anxiety was related to lower birth weight and to difficult delivery. A positive state of mind and emotional stability were associated with having a normal delivery. Therefore, moderate levels of anxiety were associated with complications during delivery and poorer fetal outcomes, whereas a positive state of mind was associated with better childbirth experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• positive emotional states
• anxiety
• pregnancy
• obstetric outcomes
• descriptive observational study

Notes

This study was financed with grants from the Spanish Ministries of Health and Consumption (FIS) (PI052462) and Science and Technology (SAF2005-05096).

^aSTAI State: the level of transient and situational anxiety. The total possible scores range from 0–60.

^bSTAI Trait: the level of dispositional and stable trait anxiety. The total possible scores range from 0–60.

^cSTAI factor 2: positive state of mind, animation, welfare, satisfaction and self-confidence. The total possible scores range from 0–30.

^aSTAI Factor 1: state of nervousness, tension, anxiety and restlessness. The total possible score ranged from 0–30, and the cut-off score was 5, corresponding to the 66th percentile.

¹Mode of delivery reference group: Normal delivery.

^bSTAI Factor 2: positive state of mind, animation, welfare, satisfaction and self-confidence. The total possible score ranged from 0–30, and the cut-off score was 23, corresponding to the 66th percentile.

¹Mode of delivery reference group: Normal delivery.

^cSTAI Factor 4: emotional stability and absence of mood changes. The total possible scores range from 0–21, and the cut-off score was 17, corresponding to the 66th percentile.

¹Mode of delivery reference group: Normal delivery.