THE RELATION OF CORTISOL REACTIVITY AND ANXIETY TO PERINATAL OUTCOME IN PRIMIPAROUS ADOLESCENTS

The relation of cortisol reactivity and self-report anxiety to perinat al outcomes was examined in a sample of 38 primiparous adolescents. Ma ternal cortisol and anxiety levels obtained in the first half of pregn ancy and in mid-third trimester were found to be related to the gestat ional age of newborns, with higher levels of cortisol and/or anxiety p redicting greater chance of pre- or postmature birth. However, when me asured over time, a greater increase in cortisol levels was more predi ctive of positive perinatal outcomes, such as no meconium in labor. Th ese findings suggest that certain levels of maternal reactivity/anxiet y are necessary for positive perinatal outcomes. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.