DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Emotional burnout in the third trimester of pregnancy is a growing concern, characterized by persistent emotional fatigue, anxiety, and psychological distress. As women approach childbirth, heightened emotional vulnerability can significantly affect both maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite its clinical relevance, emotional burnout during late pregnancy remains underrecognized and understudied, particularly in terms of standardized assessment and intervention strategies.
Objective: This narrative review aims to explore the psychological stressors, support systems, and emotional well-being of pregnant women in their third trimester, highlighting key risk factors, therapeutic approaches, and gaps in existing research.
Main Discussion Points: The review synthesizes findings from recent literature, identifying common stressors such as fear of labor, prior obstetric complications, and socioeconomic instability. The protective role of emotional and social support, especially from partners, is emphasized across studies. Non-pharmacological interventions, including Emotional Freedom Techniques, aromatherapy, and autogenic relaxation, have shown promising effects in reducing anxiety. However, methodological limitations such as small sample sizes, lack of randomized controlled trials, and inconsistent assessment tools hinder the strength of the evidence. The generalizability of findings remains limited due to a lack of diverse study populations.
Conclusion: Emotional burnout in the third trimester warrants greater clinical and research attention. While current findings support the integration of emotional screening and supportive therapies into prenatal care, further high-quality research is essential to develop evidence-based, culturally sensitive interventions.