Mental Health in Women Experiencing Preterm Birth

Overview

Journal BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2014 Aug 10

PMID 25107462

Citations 29

Authors

Aud R Misund

Per Nerdrum

Trond H Diseth

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to explore the degree of psychological distress, anxiety, and trauma related stress reactions in mothers who experience preterm birth. Secondarily, we wanted to identify possible predictors of maternal mental health problems.

Methods: Twenty-nine mothers of 35 premature children born before 33rd week of pregnancy were assessed within two weeks after given birth. The standardized psychometric methods; Impact of Event Scale (IES), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and State Anxiety Inventory (STAI) assessed mental health problems. The predictors for maternal distress, anxiety, and trauma related stress reactions were pregnancy variables, preterm delivery, Gestation Age, maternal trait anxiety and parity. In addition, maternal prevalence of mental health problems was assessed by clinical diagnoses.

Results: Our study revealed a high prevalence (52%) of posttraumatic stress responses in the mothers.

Conclusions: Our results suggest an early examination of mothers' psychological reactions to preterm birth at the maternity ward. An early intervention should be considered while the child still is in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Citing Articles

Preterm delivery in Ghana: challenges and implications for maternal mental health trajectories.

Kumador D, Opoku-Mensah A, Tackie-Ofosu V, Mahama S, Owusu-Bempah J, Osei Tutu C PLoS One. 2025; 20(3):e0317147.

PMID: 40029905 PMC: 11875358. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317147.

Opportunities for Telemedicine to Improve Parents' Well-Being During the Neonatal Care Journey: Scoping Review.

Wagenaar J, Mah C, Bodell F, Reiss I, Kleinsmann M, Obermann-Borst S JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2024; 7:e60610.

PMID: 39622079 PMC: 11627525. DOI: 10.2196/60610.

Mothers' Psychological Trauma Experiences Associated With Preterm Pregnancy, Birth, and Care: A Qualitative Study.

Sarfo J, Segalo P Indian J Psychol Med. 2024; :02537176241275560.

PMID: 39564227 PMC: 11572552. DOI: 10.1177/02537176241275560.

Self-Efficacy and Perceived Stress in Women Experiencing Preterm Birth.

Bialas A, Nowak A, Kamecka K, Rasmus P, Timler D, Marczak M J Clin Med. 2024; 13(16).

PMID: 39201086 PMC: 11355641. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13164945.

Parental reports of hospital- and community-based follow-up services, self-efficacy, and symptoms of depression a few months after discharge of a prematurely born child.

Landsem I, Handegard B BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):1630.

PMID: 38898436 PMC: 11186226. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19079-4.

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