Effects of depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy on pregnant, obstetric and neonatal outcomes: A follow-up study

Abstract

Antenatal clinics can expect at least one in five pregnant women to experience mental health problems, especially depression and anxiety. The present study aims to estimate the effects of the antenatal depressive and anxiety symptoms on pregnant, obstetric and neonatal outcomes. This was a prospective cohort study of 527 pregnancies and their neonates. Whether the women were with or without symptoms of depression and anxiety was determined by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). All the participants were followed to delivery. The prevalence of antenatal depressive and/or anxiety was 11.0%. The antenatal depressive and/or anxiety symptoms during pregnancy can increase the risk of prolonged pregnancy (RR =4.080, 95% CI: 1.249-13.325), especially in primiparous women.