Quality of Life During Pregnancy from 2011 to 2021: Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has emerged as a key concern in patient care. It has become one of the major objectives of clinical trials. Our study aims to describe the quality of life (QoL) during uncomplicated pregnancy and to assess its associated factors. Patients and Methods The search of articles was carried out using the online database of PUBMED and Web of Science with a limit of time between 2011 and 2021. Data were retrieved by two independent reviewers. Results 721 publications responding to keywords were identified, of which 73 articles on the topic were selected. The main countries that have published on this subject are Australia (n = 10) and China (n = 7). Twenty-three articles deal with QoL for pathological pregnancies. All the pathologies studied have a negative impact on the HRQoL of pregnant women, and its improvement depends on the type of treatment. Obesity, low back, and pelvic girdle pain, and hyperemesis gravidarum were the frequent pathologies during pregnancy. Socio-demographic characteristics related to improved well-being (favorable economic status, social support). Similarly, better sleep quality and moderate physical exercise were linked to an increased QoL. Physical and psychological factors were associated with a lower QoL. Conclusion The HRQoL refers to patients’ subjective evaluation of physical, mental, and social components of well-being. Optimizing the QoL during pregnancy necessitates a deeper understanding of their issues as well as counseling which provides support wherever needed.

Quality of life in Norwegian pregnant women and men with pregnant partners, and association with perception of sleep and depressive symptoms: a cross-sectional study

“…This may imply that the physical changes and challenges during late pregnancy in our sample of pregnant women affected their sleep. This interpretation is strengthened by our finding of a statistically significantly association between low QoL on the physical domain and complications during pregnancy, in line with previous studies [ 8 , 9 ]. These results imply that the prenatal care may address and evaluate challenges of sleep and complications during pregnancy and provide professional support to improve the physical health QoL outcomes of pregnant women.…”

“…For physical domains measured during late pregnancy, similar results have been reported on differences between pregnant women and men with pregnant partners [ 12 , 13 ]. In the pregnant women, the physical health domain was the most obviously affected, in line with previous findings [ 8 , 9 ]. In the group of pregnant women without depressive symptoms, physical health was the only domain score that remained low compared to the men with pregnant partners.…”

“…Health is defined by WHO as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” [ 7 ]. Hence, pregnant women and men with pregnant partners may experience physical, psychological and social changes as health-related challenges, such as sleep problems and depressive symptoms, affecting QoL [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The QoL of pregnant women is identified as lower than in the general population [ 10 ] and decreasing throughout pregnancy trimesters [ 8 , 9 ]. A decrease in QoL is linked mainly to the physical domain [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The QoL of pregnant women is identified as lower than in the general population [ 10 ] and decreasing throughout pregnancy trimesters [ 8 , 9 ]. A decrease in QoL is linked mainly to the physical domain [ 8 , 9 ]. The QoL of men during their partner’s pregnancy is also found to decrease [ 11 , 12 ], but male partners’ QoL is higher than in pregnant women, especially in the physical domain [ 12 , 13 ].…”