Exploring the Impact of Stress on Pregnancy Loss
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2014
Originally Published In
nternational Journal of Childbirth Education
Volume Number
29
Issue Number
3
Page Numbers
80-83
Abstract
Over one million pregnancy losses occur across all gestational periods annually in the United States. Black women experience pregnancy loss at higher rates than White or Hispanic women. Risk factors associated with fetal death can be related to the modifiable risk factor of stress. Physical damage caused by stress is recognized for cardiovascular and behavioral health conditions. However, the impact of stress from daily life and stress related to pregnancy, maternal age, socioeconomic status, race and gender discrimination on birth outcomes, is largely unexplored. Childbirth educators have an opportunity to educate expectant women on managing stress for optimal birth outcomes.
