Psychosocial factors associated with preterm uterine contractions.
BACKGROUND
The aim of our study was to evaluate how sociodemographic factors, psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy and well-being levels are associated with the onset of preterm uterine contractions allowing symptomatic preterm labor.


METHODS
In a prospective case-control design, 51 consecutive women admitted for threatened preterm labor were enrolled. The patients received standard care. The day before discharge, once contractions had been stopped, the patients were administered 2 questionnaires: the Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire of Lederman and the Psychological Well-Being Scales. Controls were enrolled among asymptomatic, healthy women attending routine prenatal care. They were matched for parity and gestational age.


RESULTS
Gestational age at inclusion ranged from 25 to 34 weeks. Fourteen cases and 4 controls delivered preterm. Cases were less educated than controls, showed a lower acceptance of pregnancy and worse relationship with others, namely with the husband, compared to controls. They also displayed a reduced environmental mastery.


CONCLUSIONS
Having a low education, poor relationship with others, including the husband, and impaired coping skills appeared to be independent risk factors for the development of symptomatic preterm labor in urbanized women.
Facchinetti
Fabio
F
Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. facchi@unimore.it
Ottolini
Fedra
F
Fazzio
Marta
M
Rigatelli
Marco
M
Volpe
Annibale
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D015145:Tocolysis