[Correlation between low birth weight and stressful life events]

Low birth weight is one of the risk factors associated with neonatal morbidity and mortality. The relationship between stressful life events and low birth weight is not well documented. To determine the association between low birth weight and stressful life events. This was a correlational study with a continuous sampling method. A total of 1182 mothers with singleton pregnancy, between 37 to 42 weeks of gestation with no pregnancy complications/ or known physical or psychological disorders and with low birth weight babies were investigated. Data were collected using SRRS questionnaires combined with interviews at two state run delivery rooms in Qum, southeast of Tehran, Iran. Statistically, chi square test, exact Fisher test, Mantel-Haenszel and stepwise logistic regression were used in analyzing the data. Our findings were indicative of the presence of a statistically significant correlation between low birth weight and change in frequency of domestic arguments [p=0.003], beginning or ending of school course [p=0.000], and also school change [p=0.02]. no significant association between the low birth weight and the number and intensity of stresses was established. Based on data found in present study, educational and counseling programs for pregnant women to ease their hardships in facing unpleasant events and also improving their coping abilities against stressful situations is suggested

Frequency and severity of Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and the related factors among pregnant women

Nausea and vomiting are the most common problems in early pregnancies which 50% to 80% of the women have experienced them in different degrees. This problem leads to physical and psychological disordes and may damage family relations and social functions of pregnant women. Although, the etiology of the problem is not known but some risk factors influence on this situation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the frequency and severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and the related factors among pregnant women. The design of the study was a cross-sectional study. The study population was all the pregnant women attending to health centers in Hamedan. The sample size was 700 pregnant women with gestational age of 6 to 16 weeks. The sampling method, was multistage sampling and the study setting was the prenatal clinics in health centers in Hamedan. The data collection was a questionnaire. The study results showed that, the frequency of nausea and vomiting was%69.7 with the categorization of mild, moderate and severe [%37.4,%46.7 and%16] respectively. Also, according to the logistic regression analysis, there were significant relationships between nausea vomiting and motion sickness [P=0.000], smelling an odor [P=0.000], premenstrual syndrome [P=0.000] and unwanted pregnancy as influencing factors on inducing nausea and vomiting. Besides, multiple regression analysis test indicated significant independent correlations between severity of nausea-vomiting and migraine headache [P=0.000], motion sickness [P=0.001], smelling an odor [P=0.001], age of menarche [P=0.000], premenstrual syndrome [P=0.000] and social support [P=0.000]. According to the study results, the frequency of nausea and vomithing was considerable and special care and attention is needed to control the related factors of nausea and vomiting in pregnant women