Life Events and Obstetrical Complications: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

The relationship between life events and some obstetrical complications was studied in a consecutive unselected series of 103 pregnant women. The Paykel interview for Recent Life Events was used. Only complications which occurred after the interview were considered to permit a prospective study. 36 women were disqualified from the study because they presented clear organic disorders or suffered from disorders in the period preceding the interview or during previous pregnancies. Women with complications reported significantly more life events than women without complications and had significantly more uncontrolled events and events occurring in the last trimester preceding the interview. These findings are consistent with the view that certain recent life events play an important role in the onset of some complications of pregnancy and delivery.