LABOR EXPERIENCE, MATERNAL MOOD AND CORTISOL AND CATECHOLAMINE LEVELSIN LOW-RISK PRIMIPAROUS WOMEN

This exploratory, prospective study was set up to determine the relati onship between cortisol and catecholamine levels and labor experience and postpartum maternal mood. It was performed at the Coronation Hospi tal, which serves a low-income urban population in Johannesburg. Blood samples were taken from 189 low-risk primiparous women in active firs t stage of labor and analyzed for cortisol, norepinephrine, epinephrin e and dopamine. The stress hormone levels were then correlated with ma ternal anxiety, depression and self-esteem scores, and changes associa ted with mothers' labor experience and pain. Patients who were distres sed and required analgesia had higher cortisol levels. Those who descr ibed a more positive labor experience at 24 hours also had had higher cortisol levels. There were no significant correlations between psycho logical test scores and stress hormone levels. Both labor pain at the time and a more positive recollected labor experience were associated with high cortisol levels. Cortisol and catecholamine levels in labor did not correlate with postpartum psychological test scores.