The course of women’s emotions from early pregnancy to postpartum period

This study aims to examine typical patterns and stability of emotions (including positive emotions) in low-risk, healthy pregnant and postpartum women. Participants completed a series of self-report measures at eight time points: 7.6 ± 1.2 gestational weeks (gw) (denotad as “T1_” in the table), 10.3 ± 0.8 gw (denotad as “T2_”), 13.5 ± 1.4 gw (denotad as “T3_”), 20.4 ± 1.6 gw (denotad as “T4_”), 30.4 ± 1.2 gw (denotad as “T5_”), 34.7 ± 1.2 gw (denotad as “T6_”); 0.4 ± 0.2 (denotad as “T7_”) and 7.6 ± 2.9 (denotad as “T8_”) weeks postpartum. At baseline, participants provided information about their sociodemographic background. At each time point, they completed questionnaires assessing positive and negative emotions (PANAS), perceived stress (EPDS), depressive symptoms (PSS), and anxiety (STAI). Data related to perinatal outcomes (birth weight, Apgar score) and child sex were collected via questionnaires administered in the early postpartum period. A total of 176 women were recruited. In line with study aims, only women with typical, low-risk pregnancy, no psychiatric treatment and favorable perinatal outcomes were included in the analysis. We excluded the participants with miscarriage (n=12), in vitro fertilization (IVF) (n=7), low Apgar score at 5 min (< 8) and/or low birth weight (< 2500 grams) (n=6). The final data set included 151 participants.