Key result
The prevalence of depression increased from 5.4% in early pregnancy to 10.0% in late pregnancy, while anxiety decreased from 17.9% to 14.2%, with several maternal characteristics identified as risk factors.
Cohort (n=2,897)
Depression increases while anxiety decreases from early to late pregnancy, with various maternal characteristics influencing these symptoms.
Increasing late-pregnancy depression prevalence supports screening; observational data leave open whether targeting risk factors alters outcomes.
According to the HADS, the prevalence of depression in our population increased from 5.4% in early pregnancy to 10.0% in late pregnancy (p < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of anxiety decreased from 17.9% to 14.2% (p < 0.001). Several maternal characteristics, such as level of education, multiparity, a history of depression, severe nausea, extreme fatigue, lack of physical exercise, and negative life events were associated with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety throughout pregnancy. Being non-Dutch, not living with a partner, and having an unplanned pregnancy or a prolonged time to pregnancy influenced the depression and/or anxiety scores in early pregnancy only.
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Loo et al. (2019) conducted a cohort in Depression and anxiety during pregnancy (n=2,897). Pregnancy progression (early to late) and maternal characteristics vs. Early pregnancy / absence of risk factors was evaluated on Prevalence of depression (HADS-D ≥ 8) (p=<0.001). The prevalence of depression increased from 5.4% in early pregnancy to 10.0% in late pregnancy, while anxiety decreased from 17.9% to 14.2%, with several maternal characteristics identified as risk factors.
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