title: Pregnancy worries: a longitudinal study of Spanish women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify pregnancy worries in women by assessing the intensity of these worries and how they change over the course of pregnancy, as well as their relations with sociodemographic and clinical variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study using a postal questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital in Madrid.
  
  
  METHODS
  285 pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women were asked about their pregnancy-specific worries in their first trimester (mean gestational age 14.4 weeks) and third trimester (mean gestational age 34.3 weeks).
  
  
  METHODS
  The women completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and the Cambridge Worry Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnancy worries were significantly reduced during the third trimester. The main concern throughout gestation was worry about fetal health. Multiparity and pregnancy planning protected women from pregnancy worries, whereas having had a miscarriage had a negative effect. A younger age and being employed contributed to greater socioeconomic worries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Worries related to the health of the fetus are universal across different nationalities. A first pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, and previous miscarriage are risk factors that influence the intensity of a woman's worries. To improve the health and quality of life of pregnant women, a holistic approach to their care should include evaluation of their worries and appropriate intervention in particular groups considered at risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, King Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peñacoba-Puente
authors.forename: Francisco Javier Carmona
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Monge
authors.forename: Dolores Marín
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires