STRESS IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER IS ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS.

Several studies have suggested that psychosocial factors -- stress, anxiety, poor social support systems -- may adversely effect the outcome of pregnancy. To determine whether changes in life stress or lack of social support affect pregnancy, these investigators conducted a prospective study of 513 pregnant women seen in four rural practices. Investigators used questionnaires to evaluate life stress (once in the second trimester and once in the third) and the extent of social support, and Coopland's obstetric risk index to determine biomedical risk. Poor outcome was defined as neonatal death, transfer of the infant to an ICU, 5-minute Apgar score less than 7, or low birth weight.

Overall, 31 (6 percent) of the 513 women had a poor outcome. W…