A cross-sectional survey of stressors for postpartum women during wartime in a military medical facility.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether having a partner deployed during wartime increased the stress levels in pregnant women and altered the attitudes toward pregnancy or changed birth outcomes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of all postpartum women at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. The anonymous survey was administered from May to July 2003.


RESULTS
Ninety-five surveys were collected. Fewer patients reported that their partner was deployed (41.1%) than not deployed (58.9%). Women with deployed partners gave birth to larger babies (3526.5 g vs. 3248.7 g, p = 0.016). No difference was seen in the gestational age at delivery, percentage with vaginal delivery, average number of children at home, self-reported stress, or reported weight gain during pregnancy. Women with partners deployed more often reported changed eating habits (56.4% vs. 8.0%, p < 0.001). Those with a deployed partner more often reported that media coverage impacted their stress level (p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Pregnant women with deployed partners gave birth to larger babies. They also more frequently report a change in eating habits and that media coverage impacted their stress level.
Haas
David M
DM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune, 100 Brewster Boulevard, Jacksonville, NC 28547, USA.
Pazdernik
Lisa A
LA
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D009657:North Carolina; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D014481:United States; D014857:Warfare; D016387:Women's Health