Changes in Prenatal Depression and Anxiety Levels in Low Risk Pregnancy Among Iranian Women: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background There is limited information on the changes in uncomplicated pregnancies. Therefore, in the present study, the changes of depression and anxiety changes in uncomplicated pregnancies during the prenatal period was evaluated.Method This longitudinal study was performed on 256 pregnant women at the beginning of the first trimester of pregnancy. Inclusion criteria included the absence of pre-pregnancy depression and anxiety and poor pregnancy history. Exclusion criteria were the incidence of pregnancy complications. The level of their depression and anxiety at the time of entering the study were completed by self-report using the DASS questionnaire at 9–10, 11–12, 24–25, and 33–35 weeks of pregnancy.Results The results of the study indicated the effect of time on the level of perinatal depression and anxiety (p < 0.001). These findings showed that the level of depression increased significantly from 9 to 24 weeks of pregnancy and decreased in the 32–34 weeks, but did not reach the level of depression at 9 weeks of pregnancy. Also, the anxiety level increased significantly from the onset of pregnancy to the 24 weeks gestation but did not change during the second and third trimesters. The findings of the study showed that depression and anxiety levels in each of the pregnancy termites were related to its level in the previous trimesters.Conclusion The results of the study showed that the level of depression and anxiety of women in uncomplicated pregnancies also increases. Therefore, psychological health screenings in the second trimester of pregnancy should be performed in these women.

Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The average duration between data collection and publication was 2,018.187 ± 1.709 in the studies included in the analysis. The studies were conducted in Israel (Adler et al, 2019), United States (Gildner et al, 2020; Kalmbach et al, 2019; Kinser et al, 2018; Perzow et al, 2021), Turkey (Akgor et al, 2021; Alan et al, 2020; Nacar & Taşhan, 2019; Sel et al, 2019), Ethiopia (Bante et al, 2021; Belay et al, 2018; Duko et al, 2019; Gebremichael et al, 2018; Habtamu Belete et al, 2019; Shitu Ayen et al, 2020; Tesfaye & Agenagnew, 2021; Tiki et al, 2020), Bangladesh (Begum & Biswas, 2020), Italy (Cena et al, 2020; Ravaldi & Vannacci, 2020), China (Dong et al, 2021; Lau et al, 2018; Lin et al, 2021; Mo et al, 2018; Yang et al, 2021; Yu et al, 2020; Zhang et al, 2021; Zhang, Yang, et al, 2020), Denmark (Ertmann et al, 2020), South Africa (Govender et al, 2020; Kaiyo-Utete et al, 2020), Iran (Hamzehgardeshi et al, 2021; Kazemi & Dadkhah, 2022; Saadati et al, 2021), Finland (Laitinen et al, 2021), Ghana (Lillie et al, 2020), Vietnam (Luong-Thanh et al, 2021), Croatia (Mikšić et al, 2018), Malez either (Nasreen et al, 2018), India (Sheeba et al, 2019; Venkatesh et al, 2019), Pakistan (Sabir et al, 2019; Shahid et al, 2020), Poland (Smyka et al, 2020; Stepowicz et al, 2020), Thailand (Tuksanawes et al, 2020), and the Netherlands (Zilver et al, 202...…”

“…This systematic review included findings about 13 studies on the depression symptoms measurement scores during pregnancy (Akgor et al, 2021; Dong et al, 2021; Gebremichael et al, 2018; Gildner et al, 2020; Kazemi & Dadkhah, 2022; Kinser et al, 2018; Lau et al, 2018; Lillie et al, 2020; Lin et al, 2021; Luong-Thanh et al, 2021; Perzow et al, 2021; Sheeba et al, 2019; Zilver et al, 2021). Depression symptoms mean score obtained from these studies was found 6.109 ± 0.577 (95% CI: 4.978–7.239; z : 10.591, I 2 : 99.604; p < .001).…”

“…However, there was no significant differences were found between middle-income and high-income countries ( Q = 0.15 df = 1 p = .7032). This systematic review included findings about 10 studies on the anxiety measurement scores during pregnancy (Akgor et al, 2021; Alan et al, 2020; Dong et al, 2021; Kazemi & Dadkhah, 2022; Kinser et al, 2018; Lin et al, 2021; Mikšić et al, 2018; Perzow et al, 2021; Stepowicz et al, 2020; Zilver et al, 2021). The anxiety mean score reported in these studies was 24.445 ± 7.657 (95% CI: 9.438–39.452; z : 3.193, I 2 : 99.991; p < .001).…”

“…This systematic review included findings about five studies on the anxiety measurement scores during pregnancy before the Covid-19 pandemic (Kazemi & Dadkhah, 2022; Kinser et al, 2018; Mikšić et al, 2018; Perzow et al, 2021; Zilver et al, 2021). Anxiety mean score obtained from these studies was found 22.834 ± 17.796 (95% CI: −12.046–57.715; z : 1.283, I 2 : 99.995; p = .004) before the Covid-19 pandemic.…”