TY - JOUR

T1 - Worries among pregnant Danish women with chronic medical conditions – A cross sectional study with data from the Copenhagen pregnancy cohort

AU - de Wolff, Mie Gaarskjaer

AU - Rom, Ane Lilleøre

AU - Johansen, Marianne

AU - Broberg, Lotte

AU - Midtgaard, Julie

AU - Tabor, Ann

AU - Hegaard, Hanne Kristine

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2021/9

Y1 - 2021/9

N2 - Objective: Pregnancy is a time of uncertainty and worries are common. Pregnant women with somatic chronic medical conditions (SCMC) are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal mental illness than women without SCMC. We aimed to describe the degree and content of worries in early pregnancy among Danish women with SCMC compared with women without SCMC. Study design: We conducted a cross-sectional study with self-reported questionnaires answered by 28,794 women from 2012─2019 during 1st trimester at a large university hospital in Denmark. Main outcome measures: We used the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS). The outcomes of interest were the prevalence of major worry at item level (n/%) and the total CWS score (mean/SEM) as expression of the degree and content of worries. Univariate and multivariable regression analysis were performed. Results: Women with SCMC reported a significantly higher total CWS score (aMD 1.50, 95% CI: 1.20–1.80). Women with SCMC were significantly more likely to report major worry in relation to own health (aOR 2.72, 95% CI: 2.43–3.08), the baby's health (aOR 1.40 95% CI 1.31–1.52), the process of giving birth (aOR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.21), the possibility of preterm labor (aOR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.28–1.63), and miscarriage (aOR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.24–1.43). Conclusion: Women with SCMC reported higher overall degree of worry during early pregnancy and an increased risk of major worry in relation to own health, pregnancy complications and giving birth. In antenatal care, these worries should be addressed by clinicians.

AB - Objective: Pregnancy is a time of uncertainty and worries are common. Pregnant women with somatic chronic medical conditions (SCMC) are at higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and perinatal mental illness than women without SCMC. We aimed to describe the degree and content of worries in early pregnancy among Danish women with SCMC compared with women without SCMC. Study design: We conducted a cross-sectional study with self-reported questionnaires answered by 28,794 women from 2012─2019 during 1st trimester at a large university hospital in Denmark. Main outcome measures: We used the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS). The outcomes of interest were the prevalence of major worry at item level (n/%) and the total CWS score (mean/SEM) as expression of the degree and content of worries. Univariate and multivariable regression analysis were performed. Results: Women with SCMC reported a significantly higher total CWS score (aMD 1.50, 95% CI: 1.20–1.80). Women with SCMC were significantly more likely to report major worry in relation to own health (aOR 2.72, 95% CI: 2.43–3.08), the baby's health (aOR 1.40 95% CI 1.31–1.52), the process of giving birth (aOR 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.21), the possibility of preterm labor (aOR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.28–1.63), and miscarriage (aOR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.24–1.43). Conclusion: Women with SCMC reported higher overall degree of worry during early pregnancy and an increased risk of major worry in relation to own health, pregnancy complications and giving birth. In antenatal care, these worries should be addressed by clinicians.

KW - Antenatal care

KW - Cambridge Worry Scale

KW - Chronic medical conditions

KW - Midwifery

KW - Perinatal mental health

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Worry

U2 - 10.1016/j.srhc.2021.100623

DO - 10.1016/j.srhc.2021.100623

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33984666

AN - SCOPUS:85105583627

VL - 29

JO - Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare

JF - Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare

SN - 1877-5756

M1 - 100623

ER -