Relationship between prenatal anxiety and perinatal outcome in nulliparous women: a prospective study

Abstract

Nulliparous women with singleton gestation were assessed prospectively for anxiety levels with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, which measured state (situational and transitional) and trait (dispositional and stable) anxiety, with high scores indicating high anxiety. Bivariate and multivariate methods were used for data analysis. Anxiety assessments (n = 239) were obtained in 88 women at different stages of gestation. Mean anxiety scores were lowest at 22 to 26 weeks. A woman's successive scores were highly correlated. The trait anxiety (A-T) scores were higher for married women. A positive correlation was present between anxiety scores and gestational age at delivery. Low A-T scores correlated with low birthweight, preterm delivery, and chorioamnionitis. High state anxiety (A-S) levels correlated with the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid and neonatal congenital abnormalities. Postdate delivery also was associated with higher although statistically insignificant anxiety scores. Women who presented to the labor and delivery room for various complaints had higher A-S and A-T levels. Maternal anxiety level was associated with adverse perinatal outcome; specifically, prematurity and low birthweight correlated with low A-T levels.