Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this research was the comparative study of pregnancy anxiety in its different periods and its related demographic factors.

Method: In a descriptive cross-sectional study 286 pregnant women in the city of Rasht, Iran who were selected using convenience sampling, were evaluated using Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ), Golombok-Rust Inventory of Marital Status (GRIMS), and Demographic Information Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, and stepwise regression analysis.

Results: The rate of pregnancy anxiety was high in the first and third trimester and low in the second trimester. However, after entering stepwise regression analysis, the data lost their significance. Stepwise regression of analysis showed that pregnancy anxiety has significant association with sexual satisfaction (p<0.001), age (p<0.001), and education (p<0.001). Having a lower age during pregnancy and high education and sexual satisfaction have a more significant role in accounting for differences in pregnancy anxiety than being in a particular trimester.

Conclusion: Planning preventive and supportive programs for pregnant women is necessary.