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Pregnancy stress, healthy pregnancy and birth outcomes – the need for early preventative approaches in pregnant Australian Indigenous women: a prospective longitudinal cohort study

Part of: DOHaD in Indigenous Populations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2019

B. L. Mah ,
K. G. Pringle ,
L. Weatherall ,
L. Keogh ,
T. Schumacher ,
S. Eades ,
A. Brown ,
E. R. Lumbers ,
C. T. Roberts  and
C. Diehm
...Show all authors
B. L. Mah
Affiliation:
Centre for Brain and Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
K. G. Pringle
Affiliation:
Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
L. Weatherall
Affiliation:
Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
L. Keogh
Affiliation:
Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
T. Schumacher
Affiliation:
Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
S. Eades
Affiliation:
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
A. Brown
Affiliation:
South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia Research Chair Aboriginal Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
E. R. Lumbers
Affiliation:
Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
C. T. Roberts
Affiliation:
Adelaide Medical School and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
C. Diehm
Affiliation:
Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia
R. Smith
Affiliation:
Mothers and Babies Research Centre, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
K. M. Rae
Affiliation:
Gomeroi gaaynggal Centre, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia Department of Rural Health, University of Newcastle, Tamworth, NSW, Australia Priority Research Centre of Generational Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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Abstract

Adverse pregnancy outcomes including prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) have been associated with life-long chronic disease risk for the infant. Stress during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Many studies have reported the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Indigenous populations and a smaller number of studies have measured rates of stress and depression in these populations. This study sought to examine the potential association between stress during pregnancy and the rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in Australian Indigenous women residing in rural and remote communities in New South Wales. This study found a higher rate of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy than the general population. There was also a higher incidence of prematurity and LBW deliveries. Unfortunately, missing post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive symptomatology data impeded the examination of associations of interest. This was largely due to the highly sensitive nature of the issues under investigation, and the need to ensure adequate levels of trust between Indigenous women and research staff before disclosure and recording of sensitive research data. We were unable to demonstrate a significant association between the level of stress and the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes at this stage. We recommend this longitudinal study continue until complete data sets are available. Future research in this area should ensure prioritization of building trust in participants and overestimating sample size to ensure no undue pressure is placed upon an already stressed participant.

Keywords

depressionIndigenouspost-traumatic stress disorderpregnancy
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease , Volume 10 , Special Issue 1: Themed Issue: Canada / Indigenous Populations , February 2019 , pp. 31 - 38
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2019 

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