Prenatal care for postpartum life: effect of intervention in the incidence of mental distress during the perinatal period

Ozadje: V magistrski nalogi smo preučili vplive enkratne intervencije na izraženost depresivne, tesnobne in stresne simptomatike pri nosečnicah v slovenskem okolju. Obporodna depresija je opredeljena kot pojav večje ali manjše depresivne epizode med nosečnostjo ali do enega leta po porodu. Poleg depresije se v obporodnem obdobju najpogosteje pojavljajo anksiozne stiske. Obporodna anksioznost predstavlja prekomerno zaskrbljenost in strah pred nosečnostjo ali pred porodom. Metoda: Vzorec je sestavljalo 36 nosečih žensk iz Slovenije. V 58 % so odgovorile, da je to zanje prva nosečnost. 11 % udeleženk je ob začetku raziskave obiskovalo psihologa. Vzorec smo ločili glede na udeležbo v programih dodatnih izobraževanj o obporodnem zdravju. Rezultati: Depresivna, tesnobna in stresna simptomatika se niso razlikovale glede na to ali se udeleženke niso udeležile izobraževanj o obporodnem obdobju ali so obiskovale Priprave na porod in starševstvo, delavnico Predporodna skrb za poporodno življenje ali pa oboje. Udeleženke se v raziskavi niso razlikovale glede na izraženost splošnega blagostanja. Zaključek: V raziskavi nismo dokazali vpliva oblikovane interaktivne delavnice na duševne stiske in blagostanje nosečnic. Nosečnice z višje izraženim notranjim lokusom kontrole so imele nižje izražene depresivne in tesnobne simptome ter stres. Nosečnice, ki so izražale manj težav na področju duševnega zdravja, so splošno bile bolj zadovoljne s svojimi porodnimi izkušnjami.Background: In the master\u27s thesis, we examined the effects of a one–time intervention on the expression of depressive symptoms, anxiety and stress symptoms in pregnant women in the Slovenian environment. Perinatal depression is defined as the occurrence of a major or minor depressive episode during pregnancy or up to one year after delivery. In addition to depression, anxiety disorders most often occur during the perinatal period. Perinatal anxiety is excessive worry and fear of pregnancy or childbirth. Method: The sample consisted of 36 pregnant women from Slovenia. 58 % reported that this was their first pregnancy. 11 % of the participants were visiting a psychologist at the beginning of the research. We separated the sample based on participation in additional training programs on perinatal health. Results: Depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms did not differ depending on whether the participants did not participate in education about the perinatal period, whether they attended the Preparation for Childbirth and Parenthood, the Prenatal Care for Postpartum Life workshop, or both. The participants in the research did not differ in terms of expression of general well–being. Conclusion: In the research, we did not prove the impact of the interactive workshop on the mental distress and well–being of pregnant women. Pregnant women who expressed a higher internal locus of control had lower expressed depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as stress. Pregnant women who reported fewer mental health problems were generally more satisfied with their birth experience