【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.

【Purpose】 To assess the effect of prenatal genetic testings (PT) and genetic counseling (GC) on the mental stress of pregnant women and after childbirth women, We examined about factors related with stress, anxiety and depression in after childbirth women who received GC for PT. Questionnaire to evaluate stress factors, the anxiety and depression was performed twice in women who did NIPT at the time of PT and 1 year after the testing.

【Methods】 We subjected 468 women who received NIPT and got negative results nine month from July 2014. After childbirth, we sent questionnaires, including a psychosocial factor evaluation tag and HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Statistical analysis was performed by using variance analysis.

【Result】 The recovery rate was 77.8%, and 89.9% of respondents felt satisfaction to NIPT.

In addition, 73.1% of women replied they will do the NIPT on the next time of the pregnancy. 96% of respondents reportedly understood NIPT after the GC well, and had opinion that GC were necessary (P<0.0001). Stressors including matters of “herself, child, husband, and the other things” showed a tendency to increase after childbirth. The satisfaction about the relations with the husband significantly decreased after childbirth (P<0.0001, coefficient of correlation 0.46). Stress VAS significantly decreased from 46.8±21.2 to 42.4±26.8, in that when received NIPT to after childbirth (P<0.0102 coefficient of correlation 0.39). HADS-A, -D did not have a change after childbirth.

【Conclusion】 Since pregnant women who received GC for PT and done NIPT were satisfied with the testing and felt the need of the GC, it was thought that the establishment of GC system which could support the decision regarding to the prenatal testing would be important. Increased tendency in stress factors including the nursing, a physical condition change, the return to their work were observed after childbirth. The satisfaction to a husband decreased. Since stress VAS decreased after childbirth, GC for PT may contributed to decrease the stress VAS after childbirth. Especially in women with high score of HADS, tendency to have anxiety and depression, and have high score of stress VAS was observed after birth. The psychosocial stress of these women was associated with their own factors. It is indicated that careful genetic counseling including physical and mental supports is very much important for these women before the NIPT and after the childbirth.