Research Article
Pinar Ozcan Cenksoy
Abstract
Background: to evaluate the anxiety levels of women with uncomplicated pregnancies during prenatal and early postnatal periods and also to determine the effect of sosyo-demographic variables. Methods: 200 women with uncomplicated pregnancies in their last trimester of gestation were included in this study. STAI was administered twice to participants in their last trimester of gestation (PNAS) and the second day of postnatal (EPAS) for measurement of anxiety scores. Sosyo-demographic characteristics including age, level of education, mode of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section), income status, availability of a supporter, pregnancy status of the plan (planned or unplanned) and way to conceive (spontaneous or IVF) were also recorded. Findings: PNAS was 48.55 ± 7.76 and EPAS was 44.76 ± 6.03. PNAS in <30 years-old group was higher than in ≥ 30 years-old group, although not achieved significantly significant (49.32 ± 7.29 vs. 47.63 ± 8.23. p=0.12). Women in illiterate group had the highest PNAS (50.57 ± 7.33. p=0.004). PNAS was significantly higher in women delivered vaginally (p=<0.001). There was a trend towards increasing PNAS with unplanned pregnancy, with no availability of a supporter and with IVF pregnancy. There were no significant relationships between PNAS and income status. Conclusion: Determination of prenatal anxiety level and knowing unfavorable predisposing factors could be useful. Because significant changes in prenatal maternal emotional well-being because of absence of self-efficacy for childbirth and psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy and birth anxiety. The unfavorable predictive factor for prenatal anxiety were <30.