Psychological Problems during Advance Stage of Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Physical changes can be seen throughout the pregnancy along with mood swings and other psychological or emotional reaction. Advance stage of pregnancy mainly during third trimester may affect more the women psychologically. Purpose: Present study was conducted to expand the limited knowledge base regarding the potential psychological problems faced by women during the third trimester or advance stage of pregnancy. Method: Psychological problems were investigated in 40 pregnant women 18- to 34 years old through Symptoms Checklist-90-R and General Health Questionnaire-28 during their third trimester. They were compared with 30 normal controls. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (13.0 ver.). Result: The result suggest that during advance stage/third trimester of pregnancy women experience psychological problems, namely, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anger hostility, phobic anxiety, psychotism and disturbance in sleep and appetite and these symptoms may associate to their current age and duration of pregnancy. Conclusion: Psychological factors during pregnancy and childbirth are important and that there can neglect can cause grave damage resulting in lifelong costs to the infant, parents and society. Women should formulate a treatment plan to manage common psychological problems too during pregnancy.