Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en How Does an Unplanned Pregnancy Affect Maternal Stress and Depression From Pregnancy to 12 Months Postpartum? A Longitudinal Study Preventive Medicine & Community Health Preventive Medicine & Community Health Original Research Original Research     Background: Research studies have shown an increased prevalence of mental health issues in women with unplanned pregnancies. However, many of these studies use cross-sectional methods. This particular study aimed to examine perceptions of stress and depression in women with unplanned pregnancies compared with those with planned pregnancies. The study tracked these perceptions, from the early stages of pregnancy to 12 months postpartum.    Methods: In this quasi-experimental study,  pregnant women attending health centers completed a baseline questionnaire around the fifth month of pregnancy. This survey gathered demographic information and inquired about pregnancy planning. Perceived stress and depression were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS4) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) 4 times up to 12 months postpartum. The relationship between pregnancy planning and PSS4 and PHQ2 scores was analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE).    Results: A total of 302 women, with a mean age of 29.31 years and a standard deviation of 6, participated in the study. The findings revealed that women with unplanned pregnancies exhibited significantly higher levels of stress and depression throughout both the prenatal and postpartum periods, even after controlling for confounding variables. Additionally, the unplanned pregnancy group reported lower educational attainment, higher parity, older age, and less support from their marital and family networks.    Conclusion: An unplanned pregnancy can significantly impact a mother's mental health, potentially lasting for months after giving birth. Women going through an unplanned pregnancy can greatly benefit from emotional support from their partners and family.   Unplanned pregnancy, Mental Health, Perceived Stress, Depression, Supportive Environment, Postpartum, Maternal Mental Health 1212 1218 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-3325-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Mahdi Khodadoust khodadoust1404@gmail.com 200319475328460087740 200319475328460087740 No Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Reyhane Mohamadi mohamadi.re88@gmail.com 200319475328460087741 200319475328460087741 No Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Gholamreza Asadi-Karam gh_asadi@kmu.ac.ir 200319475328460087742 200319475328460087742 No Applied Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra Mahmoodian Mahmoodian.80@gmail.com 200319475328460087743 200319475328460087743 No Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra Ensafi Zensafiii@gmil.com 200319475328460087744 200319475328460087744 No Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maedeh Sarreshteh m.sarreshteh1379@gmail.com 200319475328460087745 200319475328460087745 No Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nouzar Nakhaee Nakhaeen@kmu.ac.ir 200319475328460087746 200319475328460087746 Yes Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran