Risk Factors for Prenatal Depressive Symptoms Among Hispanic Women

Prior studies of risk factors for depressive symptoms during pregnancy are sparse and the majority have focused on non-Hispanic white women. Hispanics are the largest minority group in the US and have the highest birth rates. We examined associations between pre and early pregnancy factors and depressive symptoms in early pregnancy among 921 participants in Proyecto Buena Salud, an ongoing cohort of pregnant Puerto Rican and Dominican women in Western Massachusetts. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (mean = 13 weeks gestation) by bilingual interviewers who also collected data on sociodemographic, acculturation, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. A total of 30% of participants were classified as having depressive symptoms (EPDS scores > 12) with mean + SD scores of 9.28 + 5.99. Higher levels of education (college/graduate school vs. <high school: RR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.41–0.86), household income (P _trend = 0.02), and living with a spouse/partner (0.80; 95% CI 0.63–1.00) were independently associated with lower risk of depressive symptoms. There was the suggestion that failure to discontinue cigarette smoking with the onset of pregnancy (RR = 1.32; 95% CI 0.97–1.71) and English language preference (RR = 1.33; 95% CI 0.96–1.70) were associated with higher risk. Single marital status, second generation in the U.S., and higher levels of alcohol consumption were associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms in univariate analyses, but were attenuated after adjustment for other risk factors. Findings in the largest, fastest-growing ethnic minority group can inform intervention studies targeting Hispanic women at risk of depression in pregnancy.     

Does lack of multinutrient supplementation during early pregnancy increase vulnerability to alcohol-related preterm or small-for-gestational-age births?

The objective of this study was to assess whether women who do not take multinutrient supplements during early pregnancy are more susceptible to the effects of low-to-moderate alcohol consumption on preterm birth and small-for-gestational-age birth (SGA) compared to women who do take multinutrients. This analysis included 800 singleton live births to mothers from a cohort of pregnant women recruited for a population-based cohort study conducted in the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Northern California. Participants were recruited in their first trimester of pregnancy and information about their alcohol use and supplement intake during pregnancy was collected. Preterm birth (n = 53, 7%) was defined as a delivery prior to 37 completed weeks of gestation and SGA birth (n = 124, 16%) was defined as birth weight less than the 10th percentile for the infant’s gestational age and sex compared to US singleton live births. A twofold increase in the odds of SGA birth attributed to low-to-moderate alcohol intake was found among multinutrient supplement non-users (95% CI: 1.1, 5.3). Yet, among multinutrient supplement users, there was no increased risk of an SGA birth for women who drank low-to-moderately compared to women who abstained (aOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.6, 1.6). Similar results emerged for preterm birth. Our findings provide marginal evidence that multinutrient supplementation during early pregnancy may modify the risk of SGA births and preterm birth associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy and may have important implications for pregnant women and women of child-bearing age. However, future research needs to be conducted.     

Nutritional Factors Associated with Antenatal Depressive Symptoms in the Early Stage of Pregnancy Among Urban South Indian Women

Many women of reproductive age from developing countries have poor nutritional status, and the prevalence of depression during pregnancy is high. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms in early pregnancy, and to identify the demographic and nutritional factors associated with these symptoms in a sample of urban South Indian pregnant women. This cross-sectional study was the baseline assessment of a prospective randomized controlled trial of vitamin B₁₂ supplementation in urban pregnant south Indian women between the ages of 18 and 40 years (www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00641862). 365 women in their first trimester of pregnancy were screened for depressive symptoms at an urban clinic in Karnataka, South India, using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Nutritional, clinical and biochemical factors were also assessed. Mean (SD) age of the cohort was 22.6 (3.7) years and mean (SD) BMI was 20.4 (3.3) kg/m². 121 (33 %) of the women in the 1st trimester had symptoms consistent with depression (K-10 score >6). In multivariate log binomial regression analysis, presence of antenatal depressive symptoms in the first trimester were positively associated with vomiting, prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.54 (95 % CI 1.10, 2.16) and negatively with anemia, PR = 0.67 (95 % CI 0.47, 0.96). Nutrient intakes, serum vitamin B₁₂, methylmalonic acid, homocysteine and red cell folate levels were not associated with measures of depression. Antenatal depressive symptoms in early pregnancy are highly prevalent in urban Indian women and are more common in women with vomiting and without anemia. In this cross-sectional data, blood concentrations of vitamin B₁₂ and folate were not associated with depressive symptoms. The relationship between nutritional status and depressive symptoms may require larger and longitudinal studies.     

The association of daily physical activity and birth outcome: a population-based cohort study

The potential relationship between daily physical activity and pregnancy outcome remains unclear because of the wide variation in study designs and physical activity assessment measures. We sought to prospectively quantify the potential effects of the various domains of physical activity on selected birth outcomes in a large unselected population. The sample consisted of 11,759 singleton pregnancies from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children, United Kingdom. Information on daily physical activity was collected by postal questionnaire for self-report measures. Main outcome measures were birth weight, gestational age at delivery, preterm birth and survival. After controlling for confounders, a sedentary lifestyle and paid work during the second trimester of pregnancy were found to be associated with a lower birth weight, while ‘bending and stooping’ and ‘working night shifts’ were associated with a higher birth weight. There was no association between physical exertion and duration of gestation or survival. Repetitive boring tasks during the first trimester was weakly associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (<37 weeks) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.50). ‘Bending and stooping’ during the third trimester was associated with a reduced risk of preterm birth (adjusted OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.63–0.84). Demanding physical activities do not have a harmful effect on the selected birth outcomes while a sedentary lifestyle is associated with a lower birth weight. In the absence of either medical or obstetric complications, pregnant women may safely continue their normal daily physical activities should they wish to do so.     

The effects of maternal body mass index on pregnancy outcome

The increasing prevalence of obesity is presenting a critical challenge to healthcare services. We examined the effect of Body Mass Index in early pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcome. We performed a population register-based cohort study using data from the North Western Perinatal survey (N = 99,403 babies born during 2004–2006), based at The University of Manchester, UK. The main outcome measures were Caesarean section delivery, preterm birth, neonatal death, stillbirth, Macrosomia, small for gestational age and large for gestational age. The risk of preterm birth was reduced by almost 10% in overweight (RR = 0.89, [95% CI: 0.83, 0.95]) and obese women (RR = 0.90, [95% CI: 0.84, 0.97]) and was increased in underweight women (RR = 1.33, [95% CI: 1.16, 1.53]). Overweight (RR = 1.17, [95% CI: 1.09, 1.25]), obese (RR = 1.35, [95% CI: 1.25, 1.45]) and morbidly obese (RR = 1.24, [95% CI: 1.02, 1.52]) women had an elevated risk of post-term birth compared to normal women. The risk of fetal macrosomia and operative delivery increased with BMI such that morbidly obese women were at greatest risk of both (RR of macrosomia = 4.78 [95% CI: 3.86, 5.92] and RR of Caesarean section = 1.66 [95% CI: 1.61, 1.71] and a RR of emergency Caesarean section = 1.59 [95% CI: 1.45, 1.75]). Excessive leanness and obesity are associated with different adverse pregnancy outcomes with major maternal and fetal complications. Overweight and obese women have a higher risk of macrosomia and Caesarean delivery and lower risk of preterm delivery. The mechanism underlying this association is unclear and is worthy of further investigation.     

Prevalence and Predictors of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency among Pregnant Rural Women in Bangladesh

Although adequate vitamin D status during pregnancy is essential for maternal health and to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, limited data exist on vitamin D status and associated risk factors in pregnant rural Bangladeshi women. This study determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and identified associated risk factors, among these women. A total of 515 pregnant women from rural Bangladesh, gestational age ≤ 20 weeks, participated in this cross-sectional study. A separate logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Overall, 17.3% of the pregnant women had vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D concentration <30.0 nmol/L], and 47.2% had vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D concentration between 30–<50 nmol/L]. The risk of vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher among nulliparous pregnant women (OR: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.75–4.23), those in their first trimester (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.39–5.19), anaemic women (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.99–2.35; p = 0.056) and women whose husbands are farmers (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.22–3.50). The risk of vitamin deficiency was significantly higher among younger pregnant women (<25 years; OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.06–4.21), nulliparous women (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.34–5.25), women in their first trimester (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.12–5.79) and those with sub-optimal vitamin A status (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.28–4.11). In conclusion, hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent among pregnant rural Bangladeshi women. Parity and gestational age are the common risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. A husband’s occupation and anaemia status might be important predictors of vitamin D insufficiency, while younger age and sub-optimal vitamin A status are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in this population.     

Paternal and Maternal Smoking Habits before Conception and During the First Trimester: Relation to Spontaneous Abortion

PURPOSE: This study examined the association between maternal smoking before and during the first trimester of pregnancy and spontaneous abortion.

METHODS: We have been conducting a hospital-based case-control study on risk factors for spontaneous abortion in the greater Milan area. We collected information from 782 cases of spontaneous abortions and 1543 controls (women who delivered at term healthy infants).

RESULTS: With respect to never smokers, the odds ratio (OR) were 0.7 (95%, confidence interval (CI), 0.5–1.0) for women who quit smoking and 1.3 (95% CI, 1.0–1.6) for those who continued during pregnancy. Women who smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day in the first trimester were at increased risk of miscarriage, with an OR of 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0–2.1). No relationship was evident between the number of cigarettes smoked before conception and the risk of abortion. Likewise, no association emerged between paternal smoking and miscarriage. Moreover, no significant interaction or modification effect was obtained when strata of age and other major characteristics were investigated.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of abortion associated with cigarette smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy was measurable and noticeable in this population, and accounted for 9% (95% CI, 6–13%) of all cases. The increased risk of spontaneous abortion in women smoking during pregnancy is a further reason to encourage pregnant women to quit.     

Neighborhood and Individual-Level Violence and Unintended Pregnancy

As many as half of all pregnancies are unintended, and unintended pregnancy has been linked to a variety of adverse pregnancy and infant health outcomes. Our aim was to determine if urban women who experience high levels of neighborhood and/or individual-level violence are at an increased risk of reporting an unintended pregnancy. One thousand five hundred thirty-six pregnant women seeking care in an emergency department in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were recruited in their first or second trimester and completed in-person interviews. Information on demographic characteristics, social support, substance abuse, current experience and history of interpersonal violence, perceptions of current neighborhood-level violence, and the intendedness of their current pregnancy were gathered. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between violence indicators and pregnancy intendedness. Six hundred twenty-seven women (41%) reported an unintended pregnancy. Not feeling safe in one's neighborhood was significantly associated with reporting an unintended pregnancy (odds ratio (OR), 1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.61) when demographic, other neighborhood, and individual-level violence indicators were accounted for. Furthermore, history of sexual abuse (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.11–2.04), violence in previous pregnancy (OR = 1.7, 95% CI, 1.15–2.51), and a high index of spousal abuse score (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.32–2.04) were also associated with unintended pregnancy in multiple logistic regression models. These findings indicate that neighborhood-level violence and other individual-level violence indicators may be important when examining factors related to unintended pregnancy among young, urban women.     

孕期膳食维生素C摄入与子痫前期及其临床亚型的关系

  目的  探讨孕期膳食维生素C摄入与子痫前期(preeclampsia,PE)及其临床亚型的关系。  方法  选取2012年3月1日—2016年9月30日于山西医科大学第一医院妇产科住院分娩的孕妇为研究对象,其中861例PE孕妇作为病例组,7 987例非PE孕妇作为对照组,收集其一般人口学特征、疾病史、家族史及孕期膳食摄入情况等。采用非条件logistic回归分析模型分析孕期膳食维生素C摄入对PE及其临床亚型的发生风险的影响。  结果  调整孕妇年龄、文化程度等影响因素后,孕妇孕早期膳食维生素C摄入达到Q₃水平(OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.64~0.99)、孕晚期达到Q₃水平(OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.63~0.97)会降低PE的发生风险。按照孕前BMI进行分层后,孕前BMI < 24.0 kg/m2的孕妇孕早期膳食维生素C摄入达到Q₃水平(OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.55~0.96)、孕中期达到Q₃水平(OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.54~0.93)、孕晚期达到Q₃水平(OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.51~0.88)是PE的保护因素。进一步探讨不同孕前BMI孕妇膳食维生素C摄入与PE临床亚型的关系后发现,孕前BMI < 24.0 kg/m2的孕妇孕晚期膳食维生素C摄入达到Q₃水平(OR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.47~0.93)会降低晚发型子痫前期(late-onset preeclampsia, LOPE)的发生风险。  结论  孕前BMI < 24.0 kg/m2的孕妇Q₃水平的膳食维生素C摄入可降低PE的发生风险,尤其是对于LOPE。     

Characteristics and Pregnancy Outcomes of Pregnant Women Asymptomatic for Bacterial Vaginosis

Study Design To determine the clinical, behavioral or demographic factors associated with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and to examine if women with asymptomatic BV had a higher risk of a variety of pregnancy outcomes compared to symptomatic BV positive women. For this study, 1916 pregnant women who were 12 weeks’ gestation or less were enrolled. Interviewers facilitated vaginal swab collection for BV assessment, and completed the baseline questionnaire. BV was identified by Gram stain. Results Forty percent of pregnant women screened positive for BV and a substantial proportion of BV positive pregnant women were asymptomatic (67%). Asymptomatic BV positive women reported lower stress scores (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67–0.89), slightly more prior STD’s (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07), and a higher quantity of Mobiluncus (RR = 1.04 95% CI: 1.01–1.07) compared to symptomatic BV positive women. We did not find an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes related to BV symptomatology. Conclusion Among first trimester pregnant women, only stress, STD history, and quantity of Mobiluncus were associated with symptom reports among BV positive pregnant women. We also found that women with asymptomatic BV did not have an increased risk of a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to symptomatic BV positive women. An erratum to this article can be found at     

孕期增重及总增重与妊娠期糖尿病关系的队列研究

目的 探讨孕期增重及其总增重与妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）的关系。方法 采用前瞻性队列研究,于2013年3-9月选取成都市妇幼医疗机构产前门诊829名单胎健康孕妇作为基线调查对象,通过问卷调查于首次纳入时收集孕妇孕前等基线资料,于孕第（12±1）、（28±1）、（36±1）周及分娩前分别收集孕妇锻炼习惯、膳食摄入情况等信息和测量孕妇体重,分娩后收集分娩孕周等分娩信息。GDM诊断按中国妊娠合并糖尿病防治指南（2014）,采用多因素logistic回归分析孕早、中、晚期增重和孕期总增重与GDM的关系。结果 共682名孕妇纳入数据分析。控制生育年龄、孕前BMI、糖尿病家族史、高血压家族史、孕早期锻炼、产次、文化程度、家庭人均月收入及膳食能量等混杂因素后,多因素logistic回归分析显示：与孕早期增重适宜组相比,孕早期增重不足组和增重过多组GDM发生风险均增加（分别为OR=1.23,95% CI：0.63～2.38和OR=2.20,95% CI：1.12～4.35）;与孕中期增重适宜组相比,孕中期增重不足组和过多组GDM发生风险均降低（OR=0.47,95% CI：0.18～1.19和OR=0.78,95% CI：0.43～1.42）;与孕晚期增重适宜组相比,孕晚期增重不足组GDM发生风险增加（OR=1.48,95% CI：0.77～2.84）,增重过多组GDM发生风险降低（OR=0.53,95% CI：0.28～0.99）;与孕期总增重适宜组相比,总增重不足组GDM发生风险增加（OR=2.16,95% CI：1.04～4.46）,总增重过多组GDM发生风险降低（OR=0.74,95% CI：0.38～1.46）。结论 孕早期增重不足和过多均可能增加GDM发生风险,孕早期可能是影响GDM发生的关键时期,孕中晚期增重对GDM的影响还有待进一步论证。     

Nausea and vomiting during teenage pregnancy: Effects on birth weight

Early pregnancy nausea and vomiting (NVP) has been reported to be a favorable risk factor for pregnancy outcome. We studied nausea and vomiting in 239 randomly selected teens from a geographic-based cohort of nearly 2800 pregnant adolescents from Camden County, New Jersey. Early (first trimester) NVP was reported by 20.9%, and an additional 17.6% reported that their NVP persisted into the second or third trimester (late NVP). After adjusting for confounding factors (length of gestation, maternal age, ethnicity, prepregnant body mass index, weight gain, and smoking), we found that early NVP alone did not significantly effect birth weight. Late NVP, however, was associated with a significant decrement in birth weight (−256.5 ± 108.0 g, p < 0.05). Further, the effect of late NVP was greater when maternal weight gain was inadequate. Teenagers with continued NVP are more likely to be nutritionally stressed during the course of their pregnancy.     

Risk factors differ between recurrent and incident preeclampsia: a hospital-based cohort study

PurposeTo examine whether risk factors, including prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), differ between recurrent and incident preeclampsia.MethodsData included electronic medical records of nulliparas (n = 26,613) delivering 2 times or more in Utah (2002–2010). Modified Poisson regression models were used to examine (1) adjusted relative risks (RR) of preeclampsia and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with prepregnancy BMI; (2) maternal risk factor differences between incident and recurrent preeclampsia among primiparous women.ResultsIn the first pregnancy, compared with normal weight women (BMI: 18.5–24.9), preeclampsia risks for overweight (BMI: 25–29.9), obese class I (BMI: 30–34.9), and obese class II/III (BMI: ≥35) women were 1.82 (95% CI = 1.60–2.06), 2.10 (95% CI = 1.76–2.50), and 2.84 (95% CI = 2.32–3.47), respectively, whereas second pregnancy–incident preeclampsia risks were 1.66 (95% CI = 1.27–2.16), 2.31 (95% CI = 1.67–3.20), and 4.29 (95% CI = 3.16–5.82), respectively. Recurrent preeclampsia risks associated with BMI were highest among obese class I women (RR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.06–2.42) without increasing in a dose-response manner. Nonwhite women had higher recurrence risk than white women (RR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.16–2.50), whereas second pregnancy–incident preeclampsia risk did not differ by race.ConclusionPrepregnancy BMI appeared to have stronger associations with risk of incident preeclampsia either in the first or second pregnancy, than with recurrence risk. Nonwhite women had higher recurrence risk.     

围孕期空气污染物暴露与妊娠期贫血的关联研究

目的 探讨孕前期和孕早期主要空气污染物暴露与孕中期贫血发生风险间的关系。方法 在合肥市3家医院招募3 427名孕中期产检的孕妇作为研究对象。通过问卷调查收集人口学特征、健康状况和生活方式等信息,常规检查获得血红蛋白(hemoglobin, Hb)浓度并诊断贫血。结果 孕中期贫血发生率为35.5%。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,在单污染物模型中,孕前期NO2（OR = 1.45, 95%CI:1.33～1.57）及孕早期O3和NO2暴露均与孕期贫血风险增加显著相关,但在双污染物模型中,仅孕前期NO2与贫血风险仍存在统计学关联。多因素线性回归分析结果显示,在单污染物模型中,孕前期NO2（β = - 2.02, 95%CI:- 2.34～- 1.70）及孕早期O3（β = - 2.61, 95%CI:- 3.23～- 2.00）和NO2（β = - 1.59, 95%CI:- 2.04～- 1.15）暴露与Hb浓度呈显著负相关,在双污染物模型中,上述统计学关联仍存在。多项式曲线拟合结果显示,孕前期和孕早期NO2暴露浓度与Hb浓度之间均存在负性线性关系（P＜0.05）。结论 围孕期NO2暴露与Hb浓度降低有关,并增加妊娠期贫血风险。     

The Influence of Maternal Vitamin E Concentrations in Different Trimesters on Gestational Diabetes and Large-for-Gestational-Age: A Retrospective Study in China

Vitamin E can protect pregnant women from oxidative stress and further affect pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to investigate maternal vitamin E concentration in each trimester and its associations with gestational diabetes (GDM) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA). The data were derived from Peking University Retrospective Birth Cohort in Tongzhou, collected from 2015 to 2018 (n = 19,647). Maternal serum vitamin E were measured from blood samples collected in each trimester. Logistic regressions were performed to analyze the association between maternal vitamin E levels and outcomes. The median levels of maternal vitamin E increased from the first (10.00 mg/L) to the third (16.00 mg/L) trimester. Among mothers who had inadequate vitamin E levels, most of them had excessive amounts. Excessive vitamin E level in the second trimester was a risk factor for GDM (aOR = 1.640, 95% CI: 1.316–2.044) and LGA (aOR = 1.334, 95% CI: 1.022–1.742). Maternal vitamin E concentrations in the first and second trimesters were positively associated with GDM (first: aOR = 1.056, 95% CI: 1.038–1.073; second: aOR = 1.062, 95% CI: 1.043–1.082) and LGA (first: aOR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.009–1.051; second: aOR = 1.040, 95% CI: 1.017–1.064). Avoiding an excess of vitamin E during pregnancy might be an effective measure to reduce GDM and LGA. Studies to explore the potential mechanisms are warranted.     

9516例妊娠早期妇女焦虑和抑郁症状与孕产史的关系

目的 探讨孕产史对妊娠早期妇女焦虑和抑郁症状发生率的影响。方法 采用广泛焦虑量表(generalized anxiety disorder-7 items, GAD-7)和患者健康问卷(patient health questionaire-9 items, PHQ-9)评测重庆市妇幼保健院产科门诊2020年2―10月建档的9 516例妊娠早期妇女焦虑和抑郁症状。单因素分析检测焦虑和抑郁症状的影响因素,logistics回归分析模型进一步分析孕产史对焦虑和抑郁症状发生率的影响。结果 妊娠早期妇女焦虑和抑郁症状检出率分别为18.9%和47.5%。单因素分析显示年龄、孕前BMI、吸烟史、饮酒史、过敏史、产次和流产次数与焦虑和抑郁症状相关(均有P<0.001)。校正混杂因素后,logistics回归分析模型分析显示相较于再产妇,初产妇焦虑症状的发生率增高(OR=1.16, 95%CI:1.01～1.33,P=0.031);流产史增加焦虑(OR=1.26, 95%CI:1.13～1.41,P<0.001)和抑郁(OR=1.19, 95%CI:1.09～1.29,P<0.001...     

Relationship of perceived job strain and workplace support to antenatal depressive symptoms among pregnant employees in Taiwan

Most Taiwanese women continue to work throughout pregnancy. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms in employed women and their relationship with work-related factors. We explored the relations of work-related factors, including perceived job strain and workplace support, to depressive symptoms among pregnant Taiwanese employees. During 2015–2016, we interviewed 153 employees in their third trimester of pregnancy using questionnaires to collect data on demographics, pregnancy status, physical conditions, work-related factors, family function, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The prevalence of antenatal depressive symptoms, based on EPDS scores≥13, was 13.7%. Pregnant employees with depressive symptoms had lower Family APGAR scores (p < 0.0001) and lower scores on all scales of the HRQoL (p < 0.05). Controlling for covariates, work-related feelings of stress and distress were associated with increased odds of antenatal depressive symptoms (Odds Ratio [OR] = 4.7, 95% confidence Interval [95% CI] = 1.3–19.9). Feeling tired at work (OR = 9.1, 95% CI = 2.3–47.0) and lack of support from colleagues (OR = 16.7, 95% CI = 2.9–53.1) were significantly associated with antenatal depressive symptoms. Such information will facilitate implementation of supportive workplace climates for pregnant employees by employers, supervisors, and occupational and environmental health nurses, which may help improve the health of pregnant employees.     

Changes in Maternal Cigarette Smoking Among Pregnant WIC Participants in Rhode Island

Objectives To describe the relationship between the timing of entry into the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) among pregnant women in Rhode Island (RI) and changes in maternal cigarette smoking (MCS) during pregnancy. Methods MCS data gathered by WIC were analyzed for pregnant women who self-identified as smokers at the onset of pregnancy between the years 2001–2005. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the relationship between timing of WIC entry and both increased and decreased/quit MCS during pregnancy. Results Self-reports from smokers indicated that 9.5% quit smoking, 24.6% decreased MCS, 26.8% experienced no change, 33.5% increased MCS, and 5.6% attempted to quit MCS but failed during pregnancy. The adjusted odds ratio for smokers with 1st trimester WIC entry and increased MCS was 0.64 (95% CI 0.52, 0.79). Among smokers with 1st trimester PNC entry, the adjusted odds ratio for smokers with 1st trimester WIC entry and decreased/quit MCS was 1.51 (95% CI 1.17, 1.96). Conclusions Early WIC entry appears to be associated with improvements in MCS. Participants who entered WIC in the first trimester of pregnancy were less likely to increase smoking during pregnancy, and if they also had first trimester prenatal care, were more likely to decrease/quit smoking compared to those who entered WIC later. Programs that increase the rates of first trimester WIC entry may contribute to lower rates of MCS in the WIC population.     

Effect of Multiple Previous Miscarriages on Health Behaviors and Health Care Utilization During Subsequent Pregnancy

BackgroundWomen with a history of miscarriage report feeling emotionally guarded during a subsequent pregnancy and may be at increased risk for pregnancy-related anxiety and greater health care utilization compared with women without a history of miscarriage. However, these behaviors have not been studied in women with a history of multiple miscarriages.MethodsWe examined the effect of a history of multiple miscarriages on health behaviors and health care utilization in 2,854 women ages 18 to 36 years expecting their first live-born baby. Self-reported health behaviors and use of health care resources during pregnancy were compared for women with a history of two or more miscarriages and women with one or no miscarriages.FindingsWomen with a history of multiple miscarriages were more than four times as likely to smoke during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.69; 95% CI, 2.63–8.38) compared with women without a history of multiple miscarriages. They initiated prenatal care earlier (7.0 vs. 8.2 weeks gestation), had higher odds of third trimester emergency department visit (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.24–3.94), higher odds of hospitalization during pregnancy (aOR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.01–2.73), and twice the mean number of third trimester emergency department visits and hospitalizations during pregnancy.ConclusionsWomen with a history of multiple miscarriages may be more likely to smoke and may demonstrate increased health care utilization during a subsequent pregnancy. Compassionate, individualized, and supportive counseling by providers may address smoking and other health behaviors as well as increased health care utilization.