Physical and Psychological Symptoms of Pregnancy Experienced by Pregnant Couples

Kim, Shin Jeong; Yang, Soon Ok; Jeong, Geum Hee

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to investigate the types and seriousness of pregnancy-related physical and psychological symptoms among pregnant couples. METHOD: Subjects consisted of 77 pregnant couples at one hospital in Seoul, Korea. The pregnant couples had not been diagnosed with any medical complications. Data were analyzed by the SPSS WIN program. RESULT: In the degree of physical and psychological symptoms of pregnancy experienced by subjects, the mean score of perceived physical symptoms (2.40, 1.86) was higher than the mean score of psychological symptoms (2.13, 1.83) for both pregnant women and their spouses. In the couple's difference of physical and psychological symptoms of pregnancy experienced by subjects, there were not statistically significant differences in the physical symptoms: "I have hemorrhoids" (t=1.91, p=.06), "My body weight decreased" (t=1.78, p=.08), "I have colds more often" (t=1.77, p=.08), and "I became more active than ordinary times" (t=1.99, p=.05) or in the psychological symptoms: "I am more elated than ordinary times" (t=.83, p=.41), and "I feel inferior" (t=1.62, p=.11). Therefore, these symptoms are coincidental between couples. In the difference of physical and psychological symptoms of pregnancy experienced by subjects according to general characteristics, there were not significant differences. In the relationship between physical and psychological symptoms experienced by subjects, there were statistically significant correlations between subject's physical symptoms and psychological symptoms (r=.54, p< .001; r=.78, p< .001). CONCLUSION: Physical and psychological symptoms of pregnancy experienced by pregnant couples are an issue for nurses who perform an important role in the care of pregnant women and their spouses