Depression and anxiety during pregnancy: The influence of maternal characteristics

This study aims to investigate the occurrence of symptoms of depression and anxiety in early and late pregnancy, the longitudinal changes from early to late pregnancy, and factors associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in pregnant women in the Netherlands. MethodsWe studied 2897 women participating in the PRegnancy and Infant DEvelopment (PRIDE) Study. To assess symptoms of depression and anxiety, web‐based questionnaires including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and multiple questions on maternal characteristics were completed in early and late pregnancy. Cross‐sectional and longitudinal multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. ResultsThe depressive symptoms in our population increased, with a prevalence of probable depression from 5.4% in early pregnancy to 10.0% in late pregnancy (P < .001), whereas the anxiety symptoms decreased, with a prevalence of probable anxiety from 17.9% to 14.2% (P < .001). Characteristics associated with depressive or anxiety symptoms included low level of education, multiparity, a history of depression, severe nausea, extreme fatigue, lack of physical exercise, and negative life events. Being non‐Dutch, not living with a partner, and having an unplanned pregnancy or a long time to pregnancy were associated with the depressive and/or anxiety symptoms in early pregnancy only. DiscussionSymptoms of depression and anxiety are common in both early and late pregnancy. Screening for risk fact...
Source: Birth - Category: OBGYN Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research