Effects of antepartal stress on health status during early motherhood.

A group of high-risk women who were hospitalized for a pregnancy-risk complication, and a group of low-risk women experiencing normal pregnancy were compared for differences in health status and the effects of antepartal stress on their health status from pregnancy through early motherhood. High-risk women reported a statistically significant poorer health status during pregnancy, early postpartal hospitalization, and at eight months following birth. High-risk women reported greater stress from negative life events in addition to their greater pregnancy risk. Among both groups of women, negative life events' stress had indirect effects on health status over time through either self-esteem, family functioning, mate relationships or perceived support. The effects of a high-risk pregnancy on health status were evident at eight months following birth; high-risk women's feelings about their pregnancy and the extent of stress from hospitalization had direct effects on their health status, while negative life events had indirect effects.