Gravensteen IK, et al. - Researchers examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the pregnancy following stillbirth and assess gestational age at stillbirth and inter-pregnancy interval as individual risk factors. In addition, they evaluated the course of anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with partner relationship up to 3 years after the birth of a live-born baby following stillbirth. Compared with women with a previous live birth and previously nulliparous women, women who had experienced stillbirth faced a significantly greater risk of anxiety and depression in the subsequent pregnancy.

Methods

• Data was collected from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, a population-based pregnancy cohort.
• The study was comprised of 901 pregnant women: 174 pregnant after a stillbirth, 362 pregnant after a live birth and 365 previously nulliparous.
• The researchers evaluated anxiety and depression by short-form subscales of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist.
• They assessed relationship satisfaction by the Relationship Satisfaction Scale.
• They measured these outcomes in the third trimester of pregnancy and 6, 18 and 36 months postpartum.
• They applied logistic regression models to study the impact of previous stillbirth on depression and anxiety in the third trimester of the subsequent pregnancy and to investigate gestational age and inter-pregnancy interval as potential risk factors.

Results

• Women pregnant after stillbirth, compared with women with a previous live birth, had a higher prevalence of anxiety (22.5%) and depression (19.7%) (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.90–10.32 and aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.11–3.27) and previously nulliparous women (aOR 4.97, 95% CI 2.68–9.24 and aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.08–3.36).
• The researchers found no association of gestational age at stillbirth (> 30 weeks) and inter-pregnancy interval < 12 months with depression and/or anxiety.
• Anxiety and depression decreased 6 to 18 months after the birth of a live-born baby, however, increased again 36 months postpartum.
• Between groups, relationship satisfaction did not differ.