Abstract
BackgroundPrenatal maternal stress can have adverse effects on birth outcomes and fetal development. Relaxation techniques have been examined as potential countermeasures. This study investigates different relaxation techniques and their effect on self-reported stress levels and physiological stress levels in pregnant women.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 38 pregnant women in their 30th to 40th gestational week were assigned to one of three, 20-min lasting relaxation groups: listening to music (N = 12), following a guided imagery (N = 12) or resting (N = 12). The intervention, i.e., acute relaxation (music, guided imagery or resting) took place once for each study participant. Study inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, German speaking, singleton and uncomplicated pregnancy during the 30th and 40th week of gestation. The stress levels were determined during the study. Current stress level during the study was assessed by a visual analogue scale. Chronic stress levels were assessed by the Trier Inventory of Chronic Stress and the Pregnancy Distress questionnaire. Multivariate analyses of covariance were performed and dependent measures included stress levels as well as physiological measures, i.e., cardiovascular activity (electrocardiogram) and skin conductance levels.ResultsAll three forms of relaxation led to reduced maternal stress which manifested itself in significantly decreased skin conductance, F(3,94) = 18.011, p = .001, ηp2 = .365, and subjective stress levels after the interventions with no significant group difference. Post-intervention stress ratings were further affected by gestational age, with less subjective relaxation in women later in gestation, F (1, 34)=4.971, p = .032, ηp2 = .128.ConclusionIndependent of relaxation technique, single, 20-min relaxation intervention (music, guided imagery or resting) can significantly reduce maternal stress. Notably, women at an earlier stage in their pregnancy reported higher relaxation after the intervention than women later in gestation. Hence, gestational age may influence perceived stress levels and should be considered when evaluating relaxation or stress management interventions during pregnancy.Trial registrationNot applicable.
Highlights
Prenatal maternal stress can have adverse effects on birth outcomes and fetal development
While maternal age and gestational age (GA) did not differ between the groups, F (2, 33)=2.424, p = .122; F (2, 33)=2.875, p = .071, the total score total of chronic stress (screening scale of chronic stress (SSCS)) and ‘participating in another measurement before’ differed significantly, F (2, 33)=3.808, p = .033, ηp2 = .187; F (2, 33)=6.556, p = .004, ηp2 =
This study aimed to investigate the effect of three different types of relaxation interventions on subjective and physiological stress-related parameters in the last trimester of pregnancy
Summary
Prenatal maternal stress can have adverse effects on birth outcomes and fetal development. This study investigates different relaxation techniques and their effect on self-reported stress levels and physiological stress levels in pregnant women. A negative maternal emotional state or maternal stress over a longer period of time affects mental health of the becoming mother but can interfere with the development of the offspring: Several studies have shown adverse effects of intense negative maternal emotional states, ranging from prenatal distress to peripartum mental disorders, on fetal and infant development [5,6,7,8]. Recent studies reported a relation between maternal stress and the offspring’s physiological stress reactivity and cortisol levels [15,16,17,18]. Maternal diurnal cortisol was related to the newborn’s stress reactivity and to the development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as measured by a neonatal heel-stick measurement [22]
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