TY - JOUR
T1 - The relation of cortisol reactivity and anxiety to perinatal outcome in primiparous adolescents
AU - McCool, William F.
AU - Dorn, Lorah D.
AU - Susman, Elizabeth J.
PY - 1994/12
Y1 - 1994/12
N2 - The relation of cortisol reactivity and self‐report anxiety to perinatal outcomes was examined in a sample of 38 primiparous adolescents. Maternal cortisol and anxiety levels obtained in the first half of pregnancy and in mid‐third trimester were found to be related to the gestational age of newborns, with higher levels of cortisol and/or anxiety predicting greater chance of pre‐ or postmature birth. However, when measured over time, a greater increase in cortisol levels was more predictive of positive perinatal outcomes, such as no meconium in labor. These findings suggest that certain levels of maternal reactivity/anxiety are necessary for positive perinatal outcomes.
AB - The relation of cortisol reactivity and self‐report anxiety to perinatal outcomes was examined in a sample of 38 primiparous adolescents. Maternal cortisol and anxiety levels obtained in the first half of pregnancy and in mid‐third trimester were found to be related to the gestational age of newborns, with higher levels of cortisol and/or anxiety predicting greater chance of pre‐ or postmature birth. However, when measured over time, a greater increase in cortisol levels was more predictive of positive perinatal outcomes, such as no meconium in labor. These findings suggest that certain levels of maternal reactivity/anxiety are necessary for positive perinatal outcomes.
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U2 - 10.1002/nur.4770170604
DO - 10.1002/nur.4770170604
M3 - Article
C2 - 7972919
AN - SCOPUS:0028674878
SN - 0160-6891
VL - 17
SP - 411
EP - 420
JO - Research in Nursing and Health
JF - Research in Nursing and Health
IS - 6
ER -