A survey on maternal adverse symptoms and functionality in the third trimester and postpartum

Abstract

ObjectiveTo use the maternal morbidity WOICE Tool(Chinese version)to investigate the maternal morbidity in Shanghai, and to examine the current situation and associated factors of adverse symptoms and impaired functioning in the third trimester and postpartum period.MethodsPregnant women who made their initial visit and established a medical record at a tertiary obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Shanghai from March to August 2021 were recruited and a baseline survey was completed. The prevalence of maternal morbidity was surveyed in the third trimester and first 6 weeks postpartum.ResultsSelf-reported adverse physical symptoms were observed in 89.8% of women in the third trimester and 86.1% in first 6 weeks postpartum. The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression were 4.1% and 6.2% in the third trimester, and 6.2% and 7.5% in first 6 weeks postpartum, respectively. The proportions of women reporting impaired functioning were 80.3% in the third trimester and 64.1% in first 6 weeks postpartum, respectively. Physical symptoms were associated with parity, education, the newborn’s health status, and risk of experiencing violence. Psychological symptoms were associated with age, household responsibilities, employment status, the newborn’s health status, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and risk of experiencing violence. Functionality was associated with the type of registered residence, education level, household responsibilities, and risk of experiencing violence.ConclusionThe physical health status of pregnant and postpartum women in Shanghai is better than that in the middle-income regions abroad, with anxiety and depression at average levels compared to national statistics in China. Physical, psychological, and functional status are affected by multiple factors including personal, health, family, and work conditions. Preventive measures should be taken from various perspectives to mitigate adverse symptoms and impaired functioning, and to improve the positive experience of pregnancy and childbirth.

Keywords

• maternal
• maternal morbidity woice tool
• physical symptom
• anxiety
• depression
• life function