Relationship between obstetric outcome and psychological measures in pregnancy and the postnatal year

Abstract In the course of a longitudinal study of psychological status in women during pregnancy and the first postnatal year data were obtained on the labour and delivery of 117 women. Tests of association failed to identify psychological measures in pregnancy which would predict obstetric outcome, which conflicts with some previous findings (McDonald 1968, Twining 1983). The relative influence of psychological status compared with the powerful influences of physical status and obstetric management is discussed. Tests of association also failed to reveal any measures of labour or delivery which predicted postnatal depressed moods or anxiety. Reasons for this could include (a) reduced variance in management procedures, since all women were from one consultant's clinic, and (b) the small size of the group with labour complications. It is also possible that the measures of obstetric outcome chosen were inappropriate. Ratings of the management of and preparation for labour made some weeks after the birth did relate to later depression and anxiety scores.