Effects of maternal anxiety on fetal heart rate assessed by computerized cardiotocography

Abstract

Anxiety is a psychiatric disorder with high prevalence in the population, especially in pregnant women. Studies that aimed to establish an association between the level of maternal anxiety to changes in the parameters of fetal heart rate (FHR) have inconclusive results, and this study aims to contribute to the knowledge of this topic. Objectives: To evaluate the association between fetal parameters studied by computerized cardiotocography and the level of self-reported anxiety in pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with prospective data collection in which will be included at least 25 low-risk pregnant women in prenatal care, who will have their anxiety levels and parameters of fetal heart rate analysis performed. The following inclusion criteria are single pregnancy, maternal age between 18 and 40 years, without complications or comorbidities; without regular use of medications, women that do not smoke or use caffeine in the last four hours; fetus without morphological alterations and adequate growth at the ultrasound; gestational age between 36 and 40 weeks, and understanding of the research method and agreement to participate in the study. The patients will be asked to answer questions relevant to the Anxiety scale while the exam is performed with computerized cardiotocography, for 30 minutes. The anxiety level of the patient will be assessed by questionnaire Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), validated in Portuguese.(AU)