Comparison of Maternal Anxiety between Primigravid Women and Pregnant Women with the History of Previous Fetal or Neonatal Death

Pregnancy is a significant event for pregnant women who need to adapt physiologically and psychologically, though it is a normal phase of a woman’s life. In addition, previous history of fetal or neonatal death can have a negative effect on the adaptation, and this experience can also increase maternal anxiety during pregnancy that may produce adverse effects. The aim of this study was to assess and compare maternal anxiety in primgravid women and pregnant women with the history of previous fetal or neonatal death. A descriptive comparative design with multistage sampling method (sequential) was used. One hundred and twenty Iranian, literate pregnant women, who were in their 3 rd trimester of current pregnancy with (20 – 40 years old age) were selected. Forty subjects had previous history of fetal or neonatal death (without any live child) and 80 of them were primigravid. The data collection tool, had two main parts: personal characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes questionnaire (POQ, Theut et al 1988). In this study, t-test showed, there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding maternal anxiety during pregnancy (P=0.001). The mean score of maternal anxiety in the pregnant women with previous fetal or neonatal death was more than primigravid women (P<0.001). Accordin to the study findings and due to the increase of anxiety level in the pregnant women with previous history of fetal or neonatal death, it seems that it would be necessary to plan supportive, educational and counseling programs for this high risk group of women. It is suggested that further studies should be conducted during trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum period in clients.