Psychological Stress Perceived by Pregnant Women in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy

Anca Răchită, Gabriela Elena Strete, Laura Mihaela Suciu, Dana Valentina Ghiga, Andreea Sălcudean and Claudiu Mărginean
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Anca Răchită: Doctoral School, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
Gabriela Elena Strete: Department of Psychiatry, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
Laura Mihaela Suciu: Department of Obstetric and Ginecology Clinic II, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
Dana Valentina Ghiga: Department of Medical Scientific Research Methodology, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
Andreea Sălcudean: Department of Ethics and Social Sciences, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
Claudiu Mărginean: Department of Obstetric and Ginecology Clinic II, “George Emil Palade” University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-10

Abstract: Pregnancy is characterized by changes in neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and immune function. For this reason, pregnancy itself is perceived as a psychological “stress test”. Research to date has focused on stress exposure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of associated factors on the level of stress experienced by pregnant patients. We conducted a prospective study that included 215 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy, hospitalized in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic II in Târgu-Mureș, between December 2019 and December 2021, who were evaluated by the ABS II scale. All patients included in the study filled in a questionnaire that included 76 questions/items, in which all the data necessary for the study were recorded. The results obtained from the study showed that pregnant women in urban areas (53.49%) are more vulnerable than those in rural areas (46.51%), being influenced by social and professional stressors, social determinants playing a critical role in pregnancy and in the newborn. Patients who have had an imminent abortion in their current pregnancy have a significantly higher score of irrationality than those with normal pregnancy, which shows that their emotional state can negatively influence the phenomenon of irrationality. There is a statistically significant association between pregnancy type I (normal pregnancy or imminent pregnancy) and irrationality class ( p = 0.0001; RR: 2.150, CI (95%): 1.154–4.007). In the case of women with desired pregnancies, the risk of developing irrationality class IV–V is 4.739 times higher, with the association being statistically significant ( p < 0.0001; RR 4.739; CI (95%): 2.144–10.476). The analysis of the obtained results demonstrates the importance of contributing factors and identifies the possibility of stress disorders, occurring in the last trimester of pregnancy, disorders that can have direct effects on maternal and fetal health. We consider it extremely important to carry out evaluations throughout the pregnancy. At the same time, it is necessary to introduce a screening program to provide psychological counseling in the prenatal care of expectant mothers.

Keywords: emotional stability; anxiety; stressors; pregnancy; irrationality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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