Abstract
Background: Pregnancy complications are known to be risk factors for the onset of depression and anxiety symptoms. This study assessed associations between pregnancy complications, including concurrent complications, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women living in France.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 492 pregnant women. Sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were collected using an online questionnaire. Depression and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Multivariate logistic regressions were employed to identify associations between mental health outcomes and pregnancy complications.
Results: While 37% of women declared no pregnancy complications, 9.76% declared two or more complications, and 63% of participants had at least one complication. Among these latter, 68.9% had a high risk of depression, 83.9% elevated state anxiety, and 77.4% elevated trait anxiety. State anxiety scores were significantly higher in women who felt they did not receive adequate social support from their partner, family, and friends and who reported dissatisfaction with medical care. Adjusting for confounders, we identified that women with complications had higher odds of experiencing higher state anxiety scores (adjusted OR: 2.94; 95% CI: 1.40-6.10). Positive associations were also observed between gestational diabetes mellitus and increased likelihood of reporting depressive symptoms (adjusted OR: 1.99; CI:1. 20-3.29) and high state anxiety scores (OR: 3.31; CI: 1.22-9.01).
Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of depression and anxiety among pregnant women with complications. Gestational diabetes mellitus was positively associated with antenatal depression and high state anxiety levels. These findings suggest that women with complications have a higher risk of developing depressive and anxious symptoms. Screening for and treating physical and mental health problems in women experiencing pregnancy complications and poor mental health symptoms are crucial to safeguard the well-being of the mother and the fetus.