Abstract :
During pregnancy anxiety, depression, and stress will cause adverse outcomes for mothers and children.
Anxiety and depression during pregnancy is associated with shorter gestation and can have long term
complications on child. The study was conducted in Saveetha Medical College and Hospital by issuing
structured questionnaire. The screening tool used is the DASS-21 stress 15. Pregnant women in low risk
group be tween 18-40 years are included and pregnant women who is on psychiatric treatment, not able to
communicate, high risk women were excluded. The maximum age group screened was 32 years and most
of the women belonged to the lower socio economic status. 68.5% of these women have not received a
formal education. In the study depression was seen in 4.28%, anxiety in 2.85 % and stress in 18.5% and
they were found to be commonly occurring in the second and third trimester. The most commonest cause
of depression was found to be due to previous abortions and domestic abuse.
Conclusion: This study suggests that issues like depression have to be dealt with seriously and steps have
to be taken by the government and the community to improve maternal health.
Keyword :
Pregnancy, Depression, Anxiety, Associated factors, Domestic violence, Stress.