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The Interaction Between Chronic Stress and Pregnancy: Preterm Birth from A Biobehavioral Perspective
Author(s) -
Latendresse Gwen
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1016/j.jmwh.2008.08.001
Subject(s) - allostatic load , stressor , anxiety , psychological intervention , perspective (graphical) , allostasis , psychology , chronic stress , medicine , poverty , pregnancy , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , gerontology , psychiatry , neuroscience , economics , genetics , economic growth , artificial intelligence , biology , computer science
Women's health care providers are increasingly aware that chronic stressors—such as poverty, ongoing perceived stress and anxiety, intimate partner violence, and experiences of racism—are associated with an increased incidence of preterm birth in the United States. It is important to increase our understanding of the explanatory pathways involved in these associations. This article discusses the concepts of stress, chronic stress response, allostatic load, the physiology of labor initiation, and the pathophysiologic interactions that may contribute to the occurrence of chronic stress‐related preterm birth. Implications for future research and interventions are explored.