Changes in prenatal depression and anxiety levels in low risk pregnancy among Iranian women: A prospective study

Increasing of depression and anxiety in high risk pregnancy is well known but there is limited information on the changes of psychological symptoms in low risk pregnancies and the aim of the study was evaluation depression and anxiety changes in pregnant women with high risk pregnancy.

This prospective 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.

The results of the study indicated that the effect of time on the level of perinatal depression and anxiety was significant (P < .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 results of the study showed that the level of depression and anxiety of women in low risk pregnancies increase during pregnancy and psychological health screenings in the second trimester of pregnancy should be performed in pregnant women.