Anxiety levels and concerns among pregnant women

Abstract

Since maternal anxiety has been implicated as one variable in the etiology of maternal and fetal complications, this study was done to identify specific concerns and anxiety levels among pregnant women. One hundred pregnant women, 48 private and 52 clinic patients, completed the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, a concerns questionnaire, and an information sheet. Twenty-nine specific concerns were identified by 50% or more of the pregnant women. Major concerns identified were "if your baby will be healthy and normal" (94%) and "your baby's condition at birth" (93%). The number of expressed concerns showed a statistically significant correlation with anxiety level (rs = .5678; p = .001), with clinic patients having significantly higher anxiety levels than private patients.