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Pregnancies Cause Anxiety in First Time Mothers

According to new research many women experience anxiety when they initially find out, with one in 10 women not knowing where to go to confirm their pregnancy
Health - 30 June 2010   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Mary Steen| Login to Download

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  News Hooks:

New research reveals that whilst many newly pregnant women feel happy, 55% experience of a level of anxiety when they first find out.

One in ten women in the study admitted that they did not know where to go to confirm their pregnancy and of those who did, 57% relied on family and friends for their information.

85% of women assumed that their GP is the first person to visit, when in fact they can go straight to their midwife. Despite this, over half of women only spoke to their midwife after a referral from their GP. Over two thirds of women stated that they did not feel as though they had much direct contact with their midwife or equivalent.

. Introduction:

Finding out that you’re pregnant for the first time should be a wonderful time but according to new research, a large number of women experience anxiety when they first find out that they’re expecting. Many women admitted that they didn’t feel they had much direct contact with their midwife or equivalent during their first 8-12 weeks and relied principally on friends and family to advise them what to do.

How can women who are pregnant for the first time reduce their anxiety levels?

Joining us to discuss this further is Midwife [and Mum], Mary Steen.

. Suggested Questions:

What percentage of women in our area felt anxious when they found out that they were pregnant for the first time?

Where are most women getting their information from during their first weeks of pregnancy?

Do you believe that additional information could help to reduce the anxiety levels for first pregnancies?

What was the aim of this research?

How can women know that a resource on pregnancy is reliable?

What are the best information resources for first-time prospective mothers?