Which patient population is at increased risk for stress-related complications during pregnancy?

• A. Pregnant women with low anxiety, strong social support, or low-risk pregnancies.
• B. Pregnant women with high anxiety, poor social support, or high-risk pregnancies.
• C. Pregnant women who exercise regularly.
• D. Pregnant women with no medical history.

Answer: (B)

When pregnancy stress becomes chronic and coping resources are limited, the risk of stress-related complications rises. This is especially true for women who have high anxiety, poor social support, or a high-risk pregnancy.

High anxiety keeps the body's stress response activated, with increased cortisol and catecholamines. That can lead to higher blood pressure, altered placental blood flow, and a greater chance of preterm labor or fetal growth issues. Poor social support magnifies perceived stress and reduces effective coping, which can delay care-seeking, adherence to treatment plans, and utilization of resources that buffer stress. A high-risk pregnancy already carries baseline medical or obstetric challenges, and added stress can worsen those risks.

In contrast, factors like regular exercise and strong support systems tend to mitigate stress responses and improve overall outcomes, while having no medical history is not a guarantee of low stress risk in the context of pregnancy. However, the combination of high anxiety, weak support, and a high-risk pregnancy represents the greatest vulnerability to stress-related complications.