Lj. Groome et al., NATIONAL ANXIETY DURING PREGNANCY - EFFECT ON FETAL BEHAVIOR AT 38 TO40 WEEKS OF GESTATION, Journal of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, 16(6), 1995, pp. 391-396
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship
between fetal behavior and maternal anxiety during pregnancy. The stud
y population consisted of 18 uncomplicated human pregnancies at 38 to
40 weeks gestation. Maternal anxiety was assessed one time using Spiel
berger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. After an overnight fast, each
mother was given a standard meal on arrival to the fetal testing unit.
Each fetus was examined for 4 hours using heart rate monitoring and r
eal-time sonography. Fetal behavioral states were assigned based on he
art rate pattern and the presence or absence of eye and gross body mov
ements. We found that, compared with fetuses of mothers with low trait
anxiety scores, fetuses of mothers with relatively high trait anxiety
scores spent significantly more time in quiet sleep and exhibited les
s gross body movement when in active sleep. The results of this pilot
study raise the possibility that maternal anxiety during pregnancy may
have a significant effect on fetal behavior.