title: The impact of perceived maternal stress and other psychosocial risk factors on pregnancy complications.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to ascertain the contribution of perceived maternal stress and other components of a psychosocial profile to the occurrence of complications of pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cohort study of pregnant women in a tertiary perinatal centre in Eastern Townships, Quebec. Psychosocial profile was assessed between 10 and 20 weeks' gestation and 25 and 30 weeks' gestation using six validated self-administered questionnaires. After delivery, data related to maternal, perinatal, and neonatal outcomes were collected. Descriptive, bivariate, and ANOVA repeated measures were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 303 consenting women, 81 (26.7%) had at least one pregnancy complication. Biomedical risk factors were evenly distributed in both groups (with or without complications). Women with complications had higher mean perceived stress at 10 to 20 weeks than those with uneventful term pregnancies (32.6 ± 11.7 vs. 29.3 ± 10.3; P < 0.05). Among those with complications, women with preterm birth perceived even more stress at 10 to 20 weeks (34.4 ± 11.5 vs. 29.3 ± 10.3; P < 0.05) than those with term pregnancies. Peer social support at 25 to 30 weeks, in women with a complication, was reported to be less than in women with an uneventful term pregnancy (51.0 ± 16.6 vs. 55.5 ± 13.8; P < 0.05). Other psychosocial dimensions were similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternally perceived stress before 20 weeks' gestation is associated with complications of pregnancy and especially with preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke QC.
authors.forename: Naomé
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roy-Matton
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moutquin
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carrier
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*