title: Stress and stress reduction.
abstract: Chronic stress contributes to preterm birth (PTB), through direct physiological mechanisms or behavioral pathways. This review identified interventions to prevent PTB through decreased maternal stress. Studies were grouped according to intervention: group prenatal care (11 studies), care coordination (8 studies), health insurance expansion (4 studies), expanded prenatal education/support in the clinic (8 studies), home visitation (9 studies), telephone contact (2 studies), or stress-reduction strategies (5 studies). Group prenatal care had the most evidence for PTB prevention. Comparative studies of PTB prevention through different models of prenatal care and maternal support, education, empowerment, stress-reduction, and coping strategies are needed.
authors: *NorthShore University HealthSystem †Department of Psychology, Northwestern University Swift Hall, Evanston, Illinois.
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Straub
authors: Sameen
authors: S
authors: Qadir
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Miller
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Borders
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology