Latent trajectories of anxiety and depression among women during subsequent pregnancy following pregnancy loss

AimTo determine the longitudinal trajectories of anxiety and depression among pregnant women who have experienced pregnancy loss, and to explore the association between post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) related to pregnancy loss and these trajectories.DesignA prospective longitudinal study.MethodsBetween October 2022 and August 2023, pregnant women with a history of pregnancy loss were recruited from four hospitals in Guangdong Province, China. Eligible participants were screened for PTSS related to pregnancy loss upon enrolment. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed in early, mid and late pregnancy using the Pregnancy-related Anxiety Questionnaire-Revised 2 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Latent class growth analysis was employed to categorize anxiety and depression trajectories, and multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between PTSS and these trajectories.ResultsOf the 388 participants included in the analysis, 158 individuals (40.7%) reported high PTSS scores. The best-fitting models identified three trajectories for both anxiety and depression: low (anxiety: 35.6%, depression: 48.7%), moderate (anxiety: 44.8%, depression: 40.5%) and high (anxiety: 19.6%, depression: 10.8%). Pregnant women with high PTSS levels were significantly more likely to experience moderate-to-high trajectories of anxiety and depression compared to those with low PTSS levels.ConclusionPregnant women who have experienced pregnancy loss exhibit higher incidences of elevated anxiety and depression trajectories. Screening for PTSS and targeted supportive care are recommended to alleviate anxiety and depressive symptoms in this population.Implications for the profession and/or patient careThis study underscores the importance of early psychological screening and tailored interventions for pregnant women with a history of pregnancy loss. Trauma-informed care should be prioritized to mitigate anxiety and depression trajectories in this vulnerable population.Patient or public contributionThere was no patient or public involvement.