Prevalence of anxiety during pregnancy in women with previous spontaneous abortions

Abstract

Backgroundː : Abortion results in emotional stress affecting the mental health of women. Women become more anxious in the subsequent pregnancy. The severity of anxiety depends on the number of prior pregnancy losses. Aim: To study the prevalence of anxiety during pregnancy in women with previous spontaneous abortions. Materials and Methods: A case control study was done on 200 women (study group) with a previous history of spontaneous abortions and compared with 200 women (control group) with a previous normal delivery. Anxiety levels were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale for all women in the first trimester. Anxiety score <17 indicates mild severity, 18–24 mild to moderate severity and 25–30 moderate to severe anxiety. Results: In the study population, most of the women were found to be in the age group of 26-30years. 149(74.5%) women had previous one spontaneous abortion and 51((25.5%) had previous two spontaneous abortions in the study group. The prevalence of anxiety was observed in 42(21%) in the study group and 20(10%) in the control group and was found to be statistically significant. In the study group, 26(62%) women had mild anxiety, 13(31%) with moderate anxiety and 3(7%) had severe anxiety and 14(60%) had mild anxiety, 6(40%) moderate anxiety in the control group. Conclusions: Women experience emotional trauma and stress following previous pregnancy losses which can have a negative impact on her mental health. Anxiety increases in the subsequent pregnancy. Anxiety level depends on the number of previous pregnancy losses. Hence careful prenatal care and psychological support should be advised to pregnant women with prior spontaneous abortions to improve the quality of life.