Mitigating Response to Stressors in Pregnant Women

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Pregnancy

• Registration Number: NCT06718907
• Lead Sponsor: Nova Southeastern University

Brief Summary

Stress-induced pregnancy complications are significant contributors to preterm labor as well as maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The goals of this study are two folds: first it aims to capture the pregnant woman's journey to seek and receive prenatal care. Second, this study aims to develop models that 1) assess the adverse health and biological effects of social factors on pregnant women who experience repeated or chronic stress, 2) address how stress can be mitigated in pregnant women from different backgrounds who experience high stress.

Detailed Description

Maternal stress-induced complications are correlated with gestational hypertension, infant low birth weight, and developmental disruption. Various social determinants of health are contributors to stress in pregnant women; factors such as socioeconomic status, education, access to prenatal care, and neighborhood conditions are some of the most identified psychosocial causes of prenatal stress. Further, chronic psychosocial stress is identified as a significant contributor to biophysiological damages such as accelerated telomere shortening in the mother as well as the offspring. Using a public health approach, this research study proposes to gather evidence to assess how response to stress is modulated and how it is captured in and affects pregnant women, with history of prolonged exposure to harmful stressors. More relevant to this study, individuals who have repeated exposure to stressors have poorly managed response to stress and display frequent elevated heart rates due to biological and physiological disruptions. Evidence from the literature suggests that having a support system and utilizing stress management techniques moderate and buffer the effects of stress on physiological measures while facilitating emotional recovery.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-12-02
• Study First Posted: 2024-12-05
• Study Start: 2024-12-20
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-06
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-08
• Primary Completion: 2026-12-31
• Study Completion: 2026-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

in 24 weeks gestation or more

• between 21 and 37 years of age

Exclusion Criteria

• in less than 24 weeks gestation
• high risk pregnancies

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Stress level change	4-8 weeks	change in stress measures as assessed by salivary cortisol levels from collected saliva before and after practicing stress management techniques. Cortisol levels are measured in ug/dL.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nova Southeastern University; 🇺🇸 Davie, Florida, United States