Pregnancy-Related Anxiety and Prenatal Attachment in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia and/or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Health problems experienced during pregnancy may increase anxiety level during pregnancy and affect mother-baby attachment. The present study aimed to compare pregnancy-related anxiety and prenatal attachment levels between low-risk pregnant women and pregnant women with preeclampsia and/or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Material and Methods: One hundred fifty women were recruited in this cross-sectional descriptive study (55 preeclampsia and/or GDM, 95 low-risk) pregnant women. Data were collected using descriptive data form, Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire- Revised-2 (PRAQ-R2), and Prenatal Attachment Scale (PAS). Results: Prenatal attachment scores of the working pregnant women in the low- risk group were higher than those in the non-working pregnant women (p<0.05). Prenatal attachment scores of primiparous women in the preeclampsia/GDM group were higher than multiparous women (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups with regard to PAS, PRAQ-R2 and PRAQ-R2 sub-dimensions scores (p>0.05). Conclusion: In line with the study results, it was found that low-risk and working pregnant women had higher prenatal attachment levels. Levels of prenatal attachment were higher in primiparous pregnant women in the high- risk group. As pregnancy-related anxiety levels of high-risk and healthy pregnant women increased, concern about one's own appearance scores increased. Therefore, reducing anxiety levels of pregnant women during pregnancy may be an effective intervention in reducing concerns about their appearance.