Effects of Previous Pregnancy Loss on Level of Maternal Anxiety After Prenatal Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Malformation

Abstract

The impact of previous stillbirth, miscarriage, or preterm delivery on anxiety in pregnant women in various subgroups at high risk for fetal abnormality in comparison with a nonrisk control group of women with healthy uncomplicated pregnancies was studied longitudinally. The level of anxiety in women (n ¼ 674) during early pregnancy was assessed by questionnaire. Data were collected at three points in time: immediately before the ultrasound scanning, at 5-6 weeks, and at 10-12 weeks after the prenatal examination for fetal malformation. In general, all women with high-risk pregnancies (n ¼ 506) showed high levels of anxiety immediately before ultrasound scanning. There was a significant decrease in anxiety over the following 10-12 weeks. By contrast, level of anxiety was not raised in the no-risk control group (n ¼ 168). However, pregnant women

The presence of anxiety, depression and stress in women and their partners during pregnancies following perinatal loss: A meta-analysis

“…The lower heterogeneity in the pregnancyspecific anxiety analysis may suggest that this provides a better model of anxiety in women during pregnancy following perinatal loss. However, some women may continue to have elevated anxiety levels after the first trimester and into the postpartum period (Brisch et al, 2005;Robertson Blackmore et al, 2011;Woods-Giscombe et al, 2010).…”

Fear of the unknown: ultrasound and anxiety about fetal health

“…of an important pregnancy task, the protection of the fetus from harm. On the other hand, there is evidence which suggests too much anxiety can be harmful for the developing fetus by reducing blood fl ow to the uterus and increasing the fetal heart rate (Monk et al, 2003;Brisch et al, 2005).…”

Depression and Anxiety in Women During Pregnancy in Slovenia / Depresija In Anksioznost Pri Ženskah Med Nosečnostjo V Sloveniji

“…A recent study has shown the location of data collection had a significant impact on state anxiety scores; women who completed the STAI questionnaire in a “high-risk” hospital-based clinic had higher state anxiety scores in comparison to women approached at “low-risk”, community based clinics ( 28 ). A longitudinal study in Germany showed that women who had previously experienced still-birth and miscarriage had increasing levels of anxiety on the STAI questionnaire despite the obstetrician’s confirmation of good health of the foetus and normal development of the pregnancy ( 29 ).…”