Timing of Prenatal Care Initiation and Psychological Wellbeing in Black Women.
Ana C Wong, Brooke Rengers, Alexandra L Nowak and 7 others
PMID 33074912WHAT IT FOUND
One third of Black women did not get prenatal care as early as they wanted.
They reported lower psychological well-being. Higher stress also appeared, but did not remain after accounting for other factors.
Key findings
01In 197 women analysed, 63 (32%) did not have their first prenatal care visit as early as they wanted.
02Women who did not get care as early as wanted reported lower psychological well-being (67.14 versus 72.84 on a 0 to 110 scale), and this association remained after adjustment.
03The higher perceived stress reported by these women (20.68 versus 18.10 on a 14 to 70 scale) did not remain after adjustment.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study measured prenatal care timing and psychological outcomes at one time, so it cannot show whether wanting earlier care came before or after lower well-being or stress. Women were enrolled before 30 weeks gestation at three Midwest clinics, so women who started care after 30 weeks or had no prenatal care were not represented. Prenatal care initiation was based on women's self-reported perception, which may not match guideline-based timing. The perceived stress association no longer remained after adjustment. Only Black women were studied, so the results may not apply to other groups.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that not getting prenatal care as early as wanted causes lower psychological well-being. The study measured everything at one time, and the stress association disappeared after adjustment.