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Abstract
Objective: To systematically investigate the effects of mental stress in pregnant women on labor and pregnancy-related events. Study design: Mental stress was identified in 140 pregnant women using Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90); 60 matched cases without mental stress were identified as the control group. Demographic data, including age, income level, educational level, and parity, were collected to identify risk factors for mental stress during pregnancy. Serum oxytocin and PGE2 levels were compared during the three stages of labor in pregnant women with and without mental stress. The relationship between mental stress and other pregnancy-related events, including the progress of labor, pain ratings during labor, maternal allergies, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal state at birth were also analyzed. Results: No significant differences in serum OT and PGE2 levels were observed between the two groups. The progress of labor, maternal allergies, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal state were not different between the two groups. Nulliparity and low educational level were identified as independent risk factors for mental stress in pregnancy (p<0.05). The rate of cesarean section delivery was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the mental stress group (22.9%) than control group (6.7%). Conclusions: Mental stress in pregnancy is associated with an increased rate of cesarean section deliveries. However, the increased cesarean section rate was not related to serum OT or PGE2 levels. The high rate of cesarean delivery among pregnant women with mental stress may eliminate obstetric complications. (Am J Transl Med 2017. 1:57-63)