Possible psychophysiologic mechanisms in premature labor

Haim Omer*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The influence of psychological factors on uterine activity has been demonstrated, but the mechanism of psychophysiologic mediation is not known. Possible mediation processes are the following: (1) a rise in catecholamine secretion may bring about an increase in uterine activity directly in the case of norepinephrine and indirectly through a rebound reaction in the case of epinephrine; (2) a stress-related corticosteroid or opiate increase may lead to higher vulnerability to infectious diseases, particularly to choriamnionitis; (3) a higher degree of neuromuscular reactivity may mediate between chronic anxiety and premature labor; and (4) stress has been shown to increase secretion of oxytocin, which increases uterine motility. Oxytocin is a possible candidate as a mediator between psychological stress and premature labor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)580-584
Number of pages5
JournalPsychosomatics
Volume27
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

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