2017 Volume 22 Issue 2 Pages 154-162
【Purpose】To assess the effect of knowledge of prenatal testing on the mental stress of pregnant women, we examined about factors related with stress, anxiety and depression in pregnant women who received genetic counseling (GC) for prenatal testing. We examined the prenatal testing, a stress factor and the anxiety and depression relation before birth using a questionnaire after.
【Methods】We subjected 529 pregnant women who received GC of NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) and answered to the questionnaire, including a psychosocial factor evaluation tag and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) after the counseling for nine months from June, 2014 at our hospital. We classified into 3 groups: normal group (N-group) is less than 7 points in each of HADS-A and HADS-D, doubted group (D group) is 8- to 10 points, and patient group (P-group) is more than 11 points. Statistical analysis was performed by using variance analysis.
【Results】Among 501 who answered to the questionnaire, the NIPT was done to 477 and 18 was changed to a fixation check. In 501 pregnant women, 355, 94 and 52 women were N, D, P group in HADS-A, and 319, 115 and 67 women were N, D, P group in HADS-D, respectively. In the background of the pregnant women, we could not observe any significant difference respectively. Among the groups, the VAS values were significantly higher in D and P group than that in N group. Stress in their workplace, relationship with their husbands and sterile will be influence regards to psychosocial factors associated with pregnancy and delivery.
【Conclusion】It was proved that the pregnant women who hope for prenatal testing, tend to have mental stresses. Because women with high score of HADS have a tendency of anxiety and depression, it is thought that detailed genetic counseling including sufficient mental supports are needed.
