Background: Pregnancy and childbirth can affect the mental health of women adversely in a variety of ways. Maternal prenatal anxiety has been associated with adverse outcomes during the pregnancy. This may further predispose to postpartum depression. Aim: To assess the prevalence of anxiety during pregnancy and its impact on postnatal depression with its association of certain obstetric risk factors in pregnant women attending tertiary care hospital in Pondicherry. Method: It was a hospital based analytical cross-sectional study where third trimester pregnant mothers (n=273) attending the antenatal service were included for the study purpose after consent. Data were collected using socio-demographic and clinical data proforma, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAM-A), Edinburgh postnatal depression rating scale (EPDS) and Hamilton depression scale (HAM-D). Epi-info and SPSS software were used for data entry. Chi-square test were used to find out association. Results: 71(26%) Pregnant mothers were found to have anxiety. The risk factors, that were significantly associated were gender preference, levels of daily hassles, marital conflicts, adverse life events, previous abortion. Among the 71 pregnant mothers, 30(42.2%) showed symptoms of depression and found 26.7%(mild), 6.7%(moderate) and 13.3%(Severe) depressive disorder patients. The risk factors that were significantly associated were family pressure for male child and problem with in laws. Conclusion: Regular maternal health care check-up for the early diagnosis and treatment of anxiety and to prevent the postpartum depression and its associated complications.

Keyword: Anxiety; Postpartum depression; Pregnancy; Risk factors.