PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS OF PREGNANCY IN THE MILITARY - A REVIEW

Objectives: In the past 20 years, more women have joined the armed for ces than ever before. Consequently, the management of pregnant service members has raised important medical and administrative issues. Recen t studies comparing service-women with their civilian counterparts hav e shown a significantly increased rate of pregnancy complications. Thi s paper explores the psychosocial milieu in which active duty pregnanc ies occur and attempts to elucidate the psychological stressors that m ay contribute to the increased complication rate. Methods: The literat ure on pregnancy in the military and the existing regulations governin g its medical and administrative management are reviewed. Case materia l is presented and analyzed. Results and Conclusions: Three types of p sychological stressors are identified and discussed: lack of social su pports, the pressures of minority status, and the institutional reacti ons to gender roles, The author proposes mandatory education for milit ary leaders regarding sensitivity to women's reproductive issues as we ll as specialized briefings for women inductees on the realities and r isks of pregnancy in the military.