The longitudinal study of changes in anxiety levels and salivary oxytocin levels in 10 expectant and nursing mothers during the first trimester to one year postpartum

Abstract

This study longitudinally examined changes in anxiety levels and salivary oxytocin levels in 10 expectant and nursing mothers during the first trimester to one year postpartum. Thereafter, the study tested a hypothesis. Results indicated that, compared to multiparas, primiparas had delayed oxytocin secretion. Further, the percentage of mothers experiencing anxiety tended to be higher in primiparas than in multiparas. However, a negative correlation was observed between salivary oxytocin levels and the frequency of anxiety. Particularly, primiparas were found to have lower levels of anxiety directly before childbirth, during which salivary oxytocin levels increase. Salivary oxytocin levels were found to be high from early pregnancy in multiparas, a small percentage of whom experienced anxiety during the postpartum period. Findings from this study suggest that high oxytocin levels in multiparas may contribute to reducing depression and suicide compared to primiparas. Primiparas tend to feel anxious when they breastfeed their baby for the first time. Therefore, to reduce their anxiety and depression after childbirth, it is important to provide primiparas with breastfeeding support designed to facilitate oxytocin secretion from an early stage.