Maternal psychological state during the transition to motherhood: a longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological state of women and its associated factors in the third trimester of pregnancy and at 8 weeks postpartum and to explore the changes in psychological state between these two time points.

METHODS

This survey study was carried out on 358 pregnant women visiting urban health centers in Shahroud, northeast Iran, in 2011. The women were followed at 8 weeks postpartum. In the third trimester of pregnancy, the participants completed the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and two other questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics and frequent psychosocial stressors. They also completed the GHQ-28 and an obstetric information form at 8 weeks postpartum. The cutoff score for GHQ-28 in Iran has been calculated as 24, which denotes probable psychological health problems.

RESULTS

The mean total GHQ score decreased from 23.7 in the third trimester of pregnancy to 18.8 postpartum (P < 0.001). The proportion of women with a GHQ-28 score of 24 or higher in the third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum were 42% and 26%, respectively. Multiparity, caring for other family members, financial problems, and anxiety about personal and fetal health were the predictors of psychological health problems in the third trimester of pregnancy. The two predictors for postpartum psychological health problems were psychological health problems in the third trimester of pregnancy and the method of infant feeding at 8 weeks postpartum.

DISCUSSION: The prevalence of psychological symptoms was high among women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Psychological state of women improved after childbirth.