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Worries surrounding the first ultrasound do not bias the screening for depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Quispel Chantal,
Bonsel Gouke J.,
Hoogendijk Witte J.G.,
Lambregtsevan den Berg Mijke P.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/ajo.12268
Subject(s) - anxiety , depressive symptoms , pregnancy , depression (economics) , psychiatry , clinical psychology , cohort , medicine , obstetrics , psychology , genetics , macroeconomics , economics , biology
Antenatal screening for depressive/anxiety symptoms could be biased by worries surrounding the first ultrasound ( US ). Therefore, we examined the potential influence of worries surrounding the first US on systematic screening for depressive/anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. Materials and Methods We obtained data from 573 women screened consecutively in midwifery practices and hospitals in the Netherlands. Data included the Edinburgh Depression Scale ( EDS ), having had an US , and its perceived influence on women's worries. Results In total, 18% had EDS scores ≥10 ( n = 105). Among 392 women who underwent an US , currently existing worries, introduced or unaltered by the US , predicted depressive/anxiety symptoms (a OR : 3.41, P < 0.001). Among 181 women who did not undergo an US , expected continuation of existing worries after the US predicted depressive/anxiety symptoms (a OR : 18.84, P = 0.046), in contrast to worries which were expected to subside. Discussion In our cohort, depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were not associated with transient worries, reduced by a first US , suggesting no bias. If true, antenatal screening for anxiety/depressive symptoms should not depend on the timing of this US examination.