Anxiety, depression and social support across pregnancy in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage: A prospective study.

Aim: Women with a history of recurrent miscarriage are a vulnerable population. This study aimed to examine changes and relationships among anxiety, depression and social support across three trimesters of pregnancy in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage.

Methods: A prospective, longitudinal study was employed. A convenience sample of 166 pregnant women with a history of recurrent miscarriage completed the measures at their 6-12, 20-24 and 32-36 gestational weeks.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety at early, middle and late pregnancy was 47.6%, 36.1% and 32.5%, respectively, whereas that of depression was 38%, 34.3% and 31.3%, respectively. Social support scores increased from early pregnancy to middle pregnancy then remained in late pregnancy. There were correlations among anxiety, depression and social support across pregnancy.

Conclusions: Anxiety and depression were highly prevalent in pregnant women with a history of recurrent miscarriage, especially in early pregnancy when the level of social support was the lowest. Social support is an essential buffer against anxiety and depression throughout the pregnancy.