Prediction of maternal quality of life on preterm birth and low birthweight: a longitudinal study

Panchalli Wang,Shwu-Ru Liou,Ching-Yu Cheng

doi:10.1186/1471-2393-13-124

Abstract

BackgroundPreterm birth is a significant cause of newborn morbidity and mortality and strains society’s healthcare resources due to its long-term effects on the health of the newborn. Prenatal maternal quality of life (QoL) may be related to the occurrence of preterm birth and low birthweight infants. Few studies, however, have investigated maternal QoL, especially throughout the continuum of pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. Therefore, the purposes of this longitudinal study were to measure the levels of QoL during and immediately after pregnancy in women with uncomplicated pregnancies, investigate the relationships between the dimensions of QoL, and determine whether prenatal QoL can predict preterm birth and low birthweight.MethodsUsing convenience sampling in one hospital in Taiwan, we recruited 198 pregnant women without pregnancy complications after 24 gestational weeks and followed up monthly until one-month postpartum. The Duke Health Profile was used to measure QoL. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, generalized estimation equations, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical logistic regression.ResultsPregnant women did not perceive that they had a high level of QoL. Women at late pregnancy experienced a significant decrease in their level of physical and general health. After childbirth, although the mothers had better physical health, they had poorer social health. Poor QoL at late pregnancy predicted preterm birth. Employment, parity, educational level, and happiness about pregnancy were related to prenatal maternal QoL; employment was a factor related to postpartum maternal QoL.ConclusionsEarly assessment of QoL, including its dimensions, of pregnant women may help us to understand women’s health status. Based on this understanding, healthcare professionals can develop interventions to promote pregnant women’s QoL and to lessen the occurrence of preterm birth and low birthweight infants. Further, an emphasis on the positive aspects of pregnancy may increase maternal QoL.

Highlights

Preterm birth is a significant cause of newborn morbidity and mortality and strains society’s healthcare resources due to its long-term effects on the health of the newborn
Maternal physical health Among the few published studies that have investigated the quality of life (QoL) of pregnant and/or postpartum women, the findings suggest that these women are likely to experience poor physical health [9,16,17,18]
The results of our study suggest that all the dimensions of maternal QoL are intercorrelated throughout the continuum of pregnancy and the postpartum period

Summary

Introduction

Preterm birth is a significant cause of newborn morbidity and mortality and strains society’s healthcare resources due to its long-term effects on the health of the newborn. Prenatal maternal quality of life (QoL) may be related to the occurrence of preterm birth and low birthweight infants. The purposes of this longitudinal study were to measure the levels of QoL during and immediately after pregnancy in women with uncomplicated pregnancies, investigate the relationships between the dimensions of QoL, and determine whether prenatal QoL can predict preterm birth and low birthweight. The costs of hospitalization and treatments for a premature birth (before 37 gestational weeks) or low birthweight baby (body weight less than 2500 grams) are high [1], and, if the infant survives, the long-term effects on the health of the baby create additional strains on society’s healthcare resources. Overall maternal quality of life (QoL) has become a focus of research that aims to provide a more in-depth understanding of the role of QoL on maternal morbidity and mortality as well as on the incidence of preterm birth

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Conclusion