PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS IN PREGNANCY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF LABOR - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

A prospective study of the contribution of psychosocial factors to obstetric outcome is reported. This is the first stage of a longitudinal predictive study of difficulties in the mother-infant relationship. One hundred and forty-three women were interviewed during pregnancy using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Parental Bonding Instrument and the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. A strong relationship was found between mode of delivery and the woman's perceptions of the mothering she received during childhood. Women who saw their mothers as less caring were more likely to have unassisted vaginal deliveries while those who saw their mother as overprotective were more likely to have their babies delivered by Cacsarean section. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.