There is no direct association between anxiety
and pregnancy outcomes, according to a review
of the data on the subject by a team at the University
of Texas Medical Branch.
The team reviewed 50 studies over 39 years and
concluded that women who experience anxiety symptoms
during pregnancy are not at increased risk for
complications such as longer labor or a low-birth-weight
baby.
The findings were presented at the recent annual
meeting of the American Psychological Association
in New Orleans.
"Pregnancy can be an emotional time for
women and, for some, anxiety associated with the
pregnancy can be compounded by pre-existing difficulties
such as having an inadequate social support system,"
review lead author Heather Littleton said in a
prepared statement.
While, overall, anxiety has no direct effect
on pregnancy outcomes, Littleton and her colleagues
noted that more research is needed to determine
if these findings apply to women with very high
levels of anxiety, such as those with an anxiety
disorder.
"This review of the literature clearly shows
that additional research is necessary to completely
understand how to best treat an anxious pregnant
woman, and such work evaluating the mental and
physical health of women during pregnancy could
help to increase the number of healthy babies
that are born," Littleton said.
