Anxiety, participation in preparatory classes and maternal attitudinal sets were examined in a population of women attending a University Hospital outpatient obstetrical clinic. Using a multiple regression model of statistical analysis, class participation and maternal attitudes were found to be significantly predictive of pain ratings during labor. State anxiety on admission to the labor room was predictive of labor length; social class and maternal attitudes were predictive of patient manageability during labor. None of these variables were found to be associated with the incidence of complications, fetal apgar scores, or the use of analgesia and anesthesia. The implications of these findings are discussed from the perspective of research on developing screening instruments for identifying pregnancy complications and from the standpoint of designing new and potentially more effective preparatory treatment methods.
With permission from Excerpta Medica Inc.

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