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Published on: July 19, 2017
Psychological impact of preconception counseling: assessment of anxiety before and during pregnancy
S de Weerd1, A K van der Bij, J C Braspenning
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Objective:
Assessment of anxiety levels in women and men before and after preconception counseling and during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Methods:
Couples were recruited from the fertility clinic of the University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Anxiety was assessed using the 40-item Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
Results:
53 women and 51 men (74%) completed the STAI both before and after counseling. Anxiety levels did not change significantly after counseling or during the first trimester of pregnancy. 83.4% would recommend preconception counseling to others.
Conclusion:
Preconception counseling is valued by the majority of women and men and does not lead to adverse psychological effects.
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