SYMPTOMS AND HEALTH-PROBLEMS IN PREGNANCY - THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIAL-FACTORS, SMOKING, ALCOHOL, CAFFEINE AND ATTITUDE TO PREGNANCY

This paper describes the prevalence and correlates of symptoms and hea lth problems in pregnancy using data from a prospective population stu dy in London. Data on the prevalence of 11 symptoms and 12 health prob lems were obtained at three points in pregnancy from a consecutive sam ple of 1513 white women. Relationships were examined between these sym ptoms and a range of psychosocial factors including social class, educ ation, marital status, income, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, attitude to pregnancy and whether the pregnancy was planned. Most women reported nausea and breast tenderness in early pregnancy. Heartburn, backache, constipation and headaches were also common. The prevalence of symptom s tended to increase with gestation except for nausea and vomiting. Wo men with manual occupations, minimum education, low income, single mar ital status and unplanned pregnancy reported more of most symptoms exc ept nausea which was associated with higher social status. A negative attitude to pregnancy was associated with more headaches but was unrel ated to nausea. Women who smoked reported more 'nerves and depression' but less nausea. In general, nausea and vomiting showed a different p attern of associations from all other symptoms.