Emotional state of women during pregnancy

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Abstract
Introduction: Stress is described as feelings of worry, unease and mild anxiety. Subjective emotions and mood during pregnancy affect the psychological state of pregnant women. Aim of the work: To investigate the emotional state that characterises women during pregnancy and what determines it. Material and method: The study group consisted of 588 pregnant women. The study was conducted between November 2023 and January 2024 in women’s counselling centres and birthing schools in the Lublin Province. A diagnostic survey method was used, with the author’s survey questionnaire, the General Mood Scale (authors Wojciszke, Baryła) and the Emotions Questionnaire (authors Wojciszke, Baryła). Results of the study: Women between 26 and 35 years of age constituted the largest group (n = 417; 71%; 70.92%). One in five subjects (n = 118; 20.07%) was between 18 and 25 years of age, while pregnant women over 40 years of age accounted for approximately 1% of the subjects (n = 6). The subjects were divided into three groups, depending on the trimester of pregnancy: 1st trimester of pregnancy accounted for 8.33% of the subjects, 2nd trimester of pregnancy 48.64% (n = 286) and 3rd trimester of pregnancy 43.03% (n = 253). Statistical analysis showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in the negative and positive mood scores of women in the different trimesters of pregnancy. High levels of negative emotions were found among women who felt a lack of support from relatives (M = 58) and among women who felt insufficient support from relatives (M = 51). In contrast, low levels of negative emotions were found among subjects who declared that they were coping well on their own (M = 39), as well as those who had high support from their partner/relatives (M = 39). The highest intensity of positive emotions was observed among women who had lost one pregnancy (M = 40), while the rate of positive emotions was slightly lower in subjects who had been pregnant for the first time or had no obstetric failures (M = 38). Conclusions: The stage of pregnancy does not significantly affect women’s mood, but a slight increase in the intensity of positive mood is observed in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and a higher intensity of negative mood in the 1st trimester of pregnancy. In addition, a higher intensity of negative emotions is observed for women of low material status, less educated, under 25 years of age and living in rural areas. Support from a partner/relative has a significant impact on the emotions felt and expressed during pregnancy. Negative emotions during pregnancy are mainly experienced by women who have lost three or more babies due to miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth. It seems reasonable to conduct further research to identify stressors in pregnant women, which will allow to individualise professional care for this group of women.

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