Maternal Emotionality During Pregnancy and Reproductive Outcome: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Empirical studies dealing with the relationship between maternal emotionality during pregnancy and reproductive outcome are critically reviewed. In general, the results of the studies reviewed support the notion of a relationship between maternal emotionality and reproductive outcome. The most methodologically acceptable studies were those linking the emotional state of the expectant mother to habitual abortion, hyperemesis gravidarum, toxemia, deviant infant behavior, and a variety of pregnancy and birth complications. Anxiety is the emotional condition most often studied and implicated in reproductive complications. However, the available data do not permit any conclusions regarding the nature of the relationship between maternal emotionality and obstetric and reproductive outcome. Mediating factors and methodological difficulties are briefly discussed.