Can Pregnancy Experience Predict Birth Experience, Postpartum Depression and Anxiety? A Prospective Descriptive Study

ABSTRACT Aim A positive pregnancy experience can be a good start for healthy motherhood. This study aimed to investigate Iranian women's pregnancy experience and how self‐reported hassles and uplifts influence birth experience, postpartum depression and anxiety, and the association between childbirth experience and postpartum mental health. Design A prospective descriptive study. Methods A prospective descriptive study was conducted among 228 pregnant women from health centres in Tabriz, Iran. From the 28th to 36th weeks of pregnancy, participants completed the Pregnancy Experience Scale. Then, the mothers were followed up until 4–6 weeks postpartum, and Childbirth Experience Questionnaires version 2.0, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression and the short form of Specific Postpartum Anxiety Scales were completed. The data were analysed using the general linear model. Results After adjusting for possible confounding variables, there was no statistically significant association between women's pregnancy and childbirth experiences. However, the mean scores of postpartum depression and anxiety were significantly higher in women who felt unhappy about the discomforts that they experienced during pregnancy ( β [95% CI] = 0.01 [0.01–0.02]; p < 0.001, 0.22 [0.09–0.35]; p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusion There was a significant statistical reverse association between childbirth experience and postpartum anxiety and depression. The study demonstrated a significant association between women's pregnancy, birth experiences and postpartum psychological outcomes. Implementing interventions that create a positive pregnancy experience will likely have an impact on reducing the prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety. Patient or Public Contribution Pregnant women participated solely in the data collection by responding to the questionnaires. No participant contributions were required for the study's design, outcome measurement or implementation.