Psycho-Emotional Disorders in Women with Unplanned Pregnancies

Abstract

Introduction: Unplanned pregnancy has been associated with postpartum depression but there is little information about other psycho-emotional disorders. Objective: We aimed to determine the presence of psycho-emotional disorders in women with unplanned pregnancy. Methods: Six-hundred and four women were recruited and divided into two groups: One consisting of 302 women with unplanned pregnancies and one with 302 women with planned pregnancies. To evaluate the presence of psycho-emotional disorders, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 was applied. Results: Women with unplanned pregnancies had more psycho-emotional disorders (66.2% vs. 43.7%, respectively, p < 0.001). The most common disorders were anxiety (39.4%), post-traumatic stress (37.1%) and depression (31.5%), p = 0.001. Conclusion: Women with unplanned pregnancies have more frequency of psycho-emotional disorders. It is suggested screening not only for postpartum depression, but also for more comprehensive psycho-emotional disorders in women with unplanned pregnancies. Then early psychological support could be provided to the mother.