Purpose: Determine the relationship between social sup- port and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.
Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the emergency department of the obstetrics and gynecology department. We recruited women admitted for delivery. Women were asked to fill in the Arabic validated Interpersonal Social Support questionnaire (short form 12). Adverse pregnancy outcomes (preterm birth, preeclampsia, antepartum hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, and fetal growth restriction) were reported. Fetal birth weight, fetal sex, and fetal head circumference were also reported.
Materials and methods: A randomized clinical trial conducted in the obstetrics and gynecology department of a tertiary hospital. Patients were recruited according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. 70 Patients were allocated into two groups: a study group who had hysteroscopic resection of the scar defect and a control group who were managed expectantly. Patients were assessed for postmenstrual spotting amount and duration. Evaluation of spotting related discom- fort and dysmenorrhea was done using a visual analogue scale. Quality of life was evaluated using the Arabic validated SF 36 quality of life questionnaire. Patient satisfaction was measured using a five-point Likert scale.
Results: The total support score was 17.83 ± 4.01. Individual domain scores were 5.45 ± 1.65, 6.08 ± 1.84, and 6.3 ± 1.88 for belonging, appraisal, and tangible. Seventy-three (71.6 %) women had no adverse pregnancy events. There was a negative correlation between the social support total score and fetal weight, fetal head circumference, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, yet it was insignificant (p-value 0.559, 0.421, and 0.413, respectively). Social support did not predict adverse pregnancy outcomes. Also, patients' education, occupation, parity, and fetal sex did not predict it either.
Conclusion: Social support was not associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes nor predicted its occurrence.