Abstract
Pregnancy complications and poor birth outcomes can affect the survival and long-term health of children. The preconception
period represents an opportunity to intervene and improve outcomes; however little is known about women’s mental health prior
to pregnancy as a predictor of such outcomes. We sought to determine if and to what extent women’s preconception mental health
status impacted subsequent pregnancy complications, non-live birth, and birth weight using a nationally representative, population-based
sample. We used pooled 1996–2006 data from the nationally-representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Poor preconception
mental health was defined as women’s global mental health rating of “fair” or “poor” before conception. Logistic regression
was used to assess the association between preconception mental health and pregnancy complications, non-live birth, and having
a low birth weight baby within the follow up period. Poor preconception mental health was associated with increased odds of
experiencing any pregnancy complication (AOR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02–1.92), having a non-live birth (AOR 1.48, 95% CI: 0.96–2.27),
and having a low birth weight baby (AOR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.00–3.98), all controlling for maternal age, race/ethnicity, marital
status, education, health insurance status, income, and number of children in the household. Significant racial and ethnic
disparities exist for pregnancy complications and non-live births, but not for low birth weight. Women’s preconception mental
health is a modifiable risk factor that stands to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy complications and birth outcomes.
period represents an opportunity to intervene and improve outcomes; however little is known about women’s mental health prior
to pregnancy as a predictor of such outcomes. We sought to determine if and to what extent women’s preconception mental health
status impacted subsequent pregnancy complications, non-live birth, and birth weight using a nationally representative, population-based
sample. We used pooled 1996–2006 data from the nationally-representative Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Poor preconception
mental health was defined as women’s global mental health rating of “fair” or “poor” before conception. Logistic regression
was used to assess the association between preconception mental health and pregnancy complications, non-live birth, and having
a low birth weight baby within the follow up period. Poor preconception mental health was associated with increased odds of
experiencing any pregnancy complication (AOR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.02–1.92), having a non-live birth (AOR 1.48, 95% CI: 0.96–2.27),
and having a low birth weight baby (AOR 1.99, 95% CI: 1.00–3.98), all controlling for maternal age, race/ethnicity, marital
status, education, health insurance status, income, and number of children in the household. Significant racial and ethnic
disparities exist for pregnancy complications and non-live births, but not for low birth weight. Women’s preconception mental
health is a modifiable risk factor that stands to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy complications and birth outcomes.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-17
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-011-0916-4
- Authors
- Whitney P. Witt, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 610 North Walnut Street, Office 503, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Lauren E. Wisk, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 610 North Walnut Street, Office 558, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Erika R. Cheng, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 610 North Walnut Street, Office 530, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- John M. Hampton, UW Carbone Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA
- Erika W. Hagen, Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, 610 North Walnut Street, Office 630, Madison, WI 53726, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875