A study on adverse obstetric outcome and it’s relation with antenatal psychosocial stress

Background: Antenatal psychosocial stress is a common condition, perhaps more prevalent than gesational diabetes. High ante-partum stress levels are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Data related to psychosocial stress and pregnancy outcomes are very much limited in our country. The objective of the study was to study the obstetric and perinatal outcome in patients with psychosocial stress and to determine the association between socio demographic factors and psychosocial stress in antenatal period.Methods: Using a 10 item stress scale (which was validated and developed at SAT hospital, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram) 153 antenatal women who satisfied the inclusion criteria and attending the outpatient department (OPD) were evaluated and followed up until delivery and their findings noted.Results: The average stress scores among mild stress group, moderate and severe stress group were 6.31, 9.18, 14.82 respectively. 23.5% of mild stress group, 23.5% of moderate stress group and 51% of severe stress group had preterm delivery. There was significant association between incidence of preterm labour and stress levels. Incidence of preterm delivery was high in severe stress group (p