Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the anxiety levels of pregnant women who were referred to a tertiary center for fetal echocardiography (FE) and the effect of FE results on maternal anxiety.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted between January 2020 and February 2021 and included 118 pregnant women. The anxiety levels of the participants were evaluated with the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, which evaluates state (STAI-I) and trait (STAI-II) anxiety. STAI-I and STAI-II were administered to participants at first admission using a standard interview technique prior to FE. After the FE was completed, a structured interview was performed and the state anxiety index (STAI-I-R) was re-administered to the participants.
Results: Severe congenital heart disease (CHD) was detected in 63 (53.4%) fetuses. The participants’ mean STAI-I scores were significantly higher than their mean STAI-II scores (44.19 ± 8.56 and 41.98 ± 5.98, respectively, t = 2.59 and p = 0.011). In pregnant women with fetuses with severe CHD, STAI-I-R scores were significantly lower compared to STAI-I scores (43.48 ± 7.97 and 46.28 ± 7.18, respectively, t = 2.13 and p = 0.037).
Conclusion: Referral for FE is associated with increased maternal anxiety, and a structured interview may result in reduced anxiety levels even in those with abnormal FE.
Acknowledgment
No funds were received in support of this work. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s). The current study has designed as a prospective research and approved by Zeynep Kamil Training and Research Hospital Ethical Committee.
Data availability statement
Relevant data included in this article is available upon request.