Association of Antenatal Gender Preference with Perceived Stress among Pregnant Women

Abstract

Background: Antenatal stress is the stress experienced by a pregnant mother as a result of stressful life circumstances. Gender preference for male children and dislike for female children prevails in many regions of the world. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how gender preferences during pregnancy, influenced by cultural and sociodemographic factors, contribute to perceived maternal stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between stress and gender preference in pregnant women. A total of 363 healthy pregnant females recruited from tertiary care hospitals of Karachi and Lahore via purposive sampling technique were first interviewed for demographic information. The self-structured questionnaire comprises items based on preferences in pregnancies and antenatal or postnatal psychological health, was then asked to be filled to determine the association between antenatal gender preference and perceived stress among the participants. Results: Male child preferences were significantly linked to antenatal stress (32.8%, p<0.05). Gender scans were performed in around 33.1% and 64.6%of mothers desired male children. The rationale behind it is that a male offspring will be able to support them in their later years. Conclusion: It was concluded that a significant association wasfoundbetween male child preferences and antenatal stress. Moreover, antenatal stress was also associated with younger mother age, low self-esteem, low socioeconomic position, and a strong familial desire for sons. Premature birth, low birth weight, and inadequate prenatal care are all possible outcomes of stress during pregnancy. Keywords: Gender Identity, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Psychological Factors.