Incidence and Severity of Nausea and Vomiting during Pregnancy and its Association with Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Abstract Background & Aims: Nausea and vomiting are common hard symptoms experienced by pregnant women in the first trimester. Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) has adverse effects on the quality of a woman's life, social, relationship with family, and her general health. The aim of this study was determining the relationship between during pregnancy with anxiety and depression. Material & Methods: It was a descriptive, correlational study. Anxiety and depression scores of 220 women were investigated by using the Spielberger's state-trait anxiety questionnaire and the Edinburgh Depression Inventory. NVP were scored by using the pregnancy unique quantification of emesis and nausea (PUQE). Data was analyzed by SPSSver.16 and Chi-square, and spearman tests. Results: The frequency of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy was 83/6%. A significant correlation between incidence of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and both anxiety and depression score (p<0.001) was found. Conclusion: There is an association between anxiety and depression early in pregnancy and severity of NVP. Furthermore, a psychological evaluation of the pregnant women in addition to other medical evaluation would be useful.

Keywords

• nausea and vomiting
• pregnancy
• anxiety
• depression
• psychological factors