The Effect of Perceived Stress During Pregnancy on Preterm Birth

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth is one of the most common problems in pregnancy globally, often leading to neonatal death. The rate of preterm birth is increasing every year. The etiology of preterm birth is multifactorial; preventable maternal psychosocial stress is one of the causes of preterm birth. There has not yet been a report of maternal psychosocial stress and preterm birth in Thailand. This study aimed to explore the relationship between maternal perceived stress and preterm birth. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of maternal perceived stress on preterm birth. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An unmatched case–control study was conducted in postpartum women, between January 17, 2019, and September 30, 2019, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Vajira Hospital. A total of 200 participants were enrolled and divided into case and control groups in a 1:1 ratio. The case group consisted of postpartum women with preterm birth and the control group consisted of consecutive postpartum women with term birth. Perceived stress was measured by using the Thai Perceived Stress Scale-10 (T-PSS-10). RESULTS: Maternal perceived stress during pregnancy was significantly greater in preterm birth compared with term birth in both means score (19.43±4.48 vs 14.08±4.06, p<0.001) and moderate to high stress level (92 vs 51, p<0.001). Perceived stress score and stress level were significant predictive factors for preterm birth (AOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.20–1.44, P < 0.001 and AOR 8.66, 95% CI 3.64–20.63, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Maternal perceived stress during pregnancy was statistically greater in preterm birth. Perceived stress score and stress level were significant predictive factors for preterm birth.