Persistence of anxiety symptoms after elective caesarean delivery

Janssen, Anna, Savory, Katrina, Garay, Samantha, Sumption, Lorna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2259-9128, Watkins, William ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3262-6588, Garcia-Martin, Isabel, Savory, Nicola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9437-4350, Anouk, Ridgway, Isles, Anthony ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7587-5712, Penketh, Richard, Jones, Ian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5821-5889 and John, Rosalind ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3827-7617 2018. Persistence of anxiety symptoms after elective caesarean delivery. Bjpsych Open 4 (5) , pp. 354-360. 10.1192/bjo.2018.48

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Abstract

Background In the UK, 11.8% of expectant mothers undergo an elective caesarean section (ELCS) representing 92 000 births per annum. It is not known to what extent this procedure has an impact on mental well-being in the longer term. Aims To determine the prevalence and postpartum progression of anxiety and depression symptoms in women undergoing ELCS in Wales. Method Prevalence of depression and anxiety were determined in women at University Hospital Wales (2015–16; n = 308) through completion of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; ≥13) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI; ≥40) questionnaires 1 day prior to ELCS, and three postpartum time points for 1 year. Maternal characteristics were determined from questionnaires and, where possible, confirmed from National Health Service maternity records. Results Using these criteria the prevalence of reported depression symptoms was 14.3% (95% CI 10.9–18.3) 1 day prior to ELCS, 8.0% (95% CI 4.2–12.5) within 1 week, 8.7% (95% CI 4.2–13.8) at 10 weeks and 12.4% (95% CI 6.4–18.4) 1 year postpartum. Prevalence of reported anxiety symptoms was 27.3% (95% CI 22.5–32.4), 21.7% (95% CI 15.8–28.0), 25.3% (95% CI 18.5–32.7) and 35.1% (95% CI 26.3–44.2) at these same stages. Prenatal anxiety was not resolved after ELCS more than 1 year after delivery. Conclusions Women undergoing ELCS experience prolonged anxiety postpartum that merits focused clinical attention. Declaration of interest None.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences Medicine Advanced Research Computing @ Cardiff (ARCCA)
Publisher:	The Royal College of Psychiatrists
ISSN:	2056-4724
Funders:	MRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 July 2018
Date of Acceptance:	16 July 2018
Last Modified:	25 Aug 2024 01:06
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/113745

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