Abstract

Aims: The present study has been conducted with the aim of evaluating the anxiety status of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy and fear of childbirth and related factors. Methodology: This longitudinal study was conducted in 2014 on 186 pregnant women attending health centers of Quchan city for receiving routine prenatal care. Demographic questionnaire, Glomberk questionnaire for the fear of birth and marital satisfaction-right (Grimes) and Spielberg State and Trait questionnaire were used on 3 occasions in the third quarter for data collection. Data were analyzed using the statistical package SPSS (version 20), analysis of variance test, T-test and one -way analysis of variance (ANOVA). P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: According to the results, 47.2% of mothers suffered from moderate and severe anxiety and 43.5% suffered from covert moderate and severe anxiety. Average anxiety in pregnant women in the third round was more than the first and second round and this difference was statistically significant (F=10.33, P<0.002). In addition, there was a statistically significant correlation between age, educating level, employment status, abortion record, marital satisfaction and fear of childbirth (P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant correlation between factors such as number and type of delivery (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results further indicated that maternal anxiety and trait increases with pregnancy age. Therefore, health care providers’ awareness of changes to mental health status of pregnant women is very important for the formulation of appropriate policies and measures to promote mental health during pregnancy.

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