EVALUATION OF ANXIETY AND PERCEIVED STRESS IN MOTHERS UNDERGOING AMNIOCENTESIS

Today, there are several factors which put women at risk of stress and anxiety.
Amniocentesis may cause anxiety in pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of
anxiety and perceived stress in mothers undergoing amniocentesis.
Material & Methods: This study is a descriptive research conducted on 95 pregnant women with
gestational age from 15 to 20 weeks in Urmia Health & Educational Center in 2016. The samples were
selected by convenience sampling. The anxiety level in women undergoing amniocentesis was measured
using Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory and perceived stress was estimated through Cohen’s
Perceived Stress Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics tests and Pearson
correlation test. The value of (p < 0.05) was considered significant.
Results: The mean and standard deviation of anxiety score in women undergoing amniocentesis was
reported (108.26 ± 20.48) and the mean of perceived stress score was (24.76 ± 7.7). Pearson test
indicated that there was a significant relationship between anxiety and perceived stress in mothers
(p<0.001).
Conclusion: Amniocentesis is a diagnostic-invasive procedure which causes anxiety in mothers
undergoing this test. Therefore, the psychological aspects of this procedure should also be considered
and interventional methods such as counseling should be used to reduce stress