Change in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms with Long-Term Hospital Admission in the Antepartum Period
Location
Center for Advanced Learning & Simulation (CALS)
Publication Date
May 2026
Start Date
8-5-2026 12:00 AM
End Date
8-5-2026 12:15 AM
Description
Background: Depression and anxiety during pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, such as increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and both elective and emergency cesarean sections. Antepartum hospitalization presents a unique stressor due to factors such as separation from family, loss of autonomy, and concern for the pregnancy. The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence and change in symptoms of anxiety and depression among hospitalized pregnant patients. We hypothesized that as length of hospitalization increased, both GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores would be associated with higher scores.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted at Woman’s Hospital’s High-Risk Unit in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from December 2024 through February 2026. Patients admitted to the HRU were eligible to enroll with a viable intrauterine pregnancy, gestational age greater than or equal to 24 weeks, and English proficiency. Patients less than 18 years of age and those unable to provide informed consent were excluded. After informed consent was obtained, participants completed anxiety and depression symptom assessments using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 respectively. Surveys were then repeated twice weekly for the duration of the hospital stay until delivery or discharge from the HRU. Baseline PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were compared across groups using ANOVA. Changes from baseline to final assessment were analyzed using one-sample t-tests and compared across groups using ANOVA.
Results: Among the 106 patients approached, 59 patients were enrolled in the study and 188 surveys completed (range 1-17 survey encounters). At admission to HRU, participants were on average 31.0±5.7 years old, with gravidity 2.6± 2.0 and parity 0.9±1.0, and 28.3± 3.4 weeks pregnant. All participants identified as non-Hispanic, and 53% of participants self-reported White race and 48% Black race. First PHQ-9 scores were on average 3.8±3.9, and first mean GAD-7 score was 5.4±4.7. First PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores did not differ by indication for HRU admission (PPROM vs. HDP vs. Other: PHQ-9 p=0.96; GAD-7 p=0.98). Among 37 patients with repeated assessments, mean PHQ-9 scores remained stable over time (mean change +0.08, p>0.05), while GAD-7 scores significantly decreased (mean change −2.00, p<0.001). While GAD7 scores decreased across all indication groups, PPROM had the largest drop, though not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Symptoms of depression and anxiety were common among hospitalized antepartum patients but did not differ by admission indication. While depressive symptoms remained stable throughout hospitalization, anxiety symptoms significantly improved over time. These findings suggest that distress may be greatest at the time of admission, supporting early screening and targeted mental health interventions.
Recommended Citation
Rogers, Jasmine MD; Jones, Briasha MPH; Edwards, Ashley PhD; Phillips, Kristian BS; and Daneshfar, Bryn BS, "Change in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms with Long-Term Hospital Admission in the Antepartum Period" (2026). Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology Resident Research Day. 12.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/obgyn_rd/2026/presentations/12
Change in Anxiety and Depression Symptoms with Long-Term Hospital Admission in the Antepartum Period
Center for Advanced Learning & Simulation (CALS)
Background: Depression and anxiety during pregnancy are associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, such as increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and both elective and emergency cesarean sections. Antepartum hospitalization presents a unique stressor due to factors such as separation from family, loss of autonomy, and concern for the pregnancy. The objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence and change in symptoms of anxiety and depression among hospitalized pregnant patients. We hypothesized that as length of hospitalization increased, both GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores would be associated with higher scores.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted at Woman’s Hospital’s High-Risk Unit in Baton Rouge, Louisiana from December 2024 through February 2026. Patients admitted to the HRU were eligible to enroll with a viable intrauterine pregnancy, gestational age greater than or equal to 24 weeks, and English proficiency. Patients less than 18 years of age and those unable to provide informed consent were excluded. After informed consent was obtained, participants completed anxiety and depression symptom assessments using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 respectively. Surveys were then repeated twice weekly for the duration of the hospital stay until delivery or discharge from the HRU. Baseline PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were compared across groups using ANOVA. Changes from baseline to final assessment were analyzed using one-sample t-tests and compared across groups using ANOVA.
Results: Among the 106 patients approached, 59 patients were enrolled in the study and 188 surveys completed (range 1-17 survey encounters). At admission to HRU, participants were on average 31.0±5.7 years old, with gravidity 2.6± 2.0 and parity 0.9±1.0, and 28.3± 3.4 weeks pregnant. All participants identified as non-Hispanic, and 53% of participants self-reported White race and 48% Black race. First PHQ-9 scores were on average 3.8±3.9, and first mean GAD-7 score was 5.4±4.7. First PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores did not differ by indication for HRU admission (PPROM vs. HDP vs. Other: PHQ-9 p=0.96; GAD-7 p=0.98). Among 37 patients with repeated assessments, mean PHQ-9 scores remained stable over time (mean change +0.08, p>0.05), while GAD-7 scores significantly decreased (mean change −2.00, p<0.001). While GAD7 scores decreased across all indication groups, PPROM had the largest drop, though not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Symptoms of depression and anxiety were common among hospitalized antepartum patients but did not differ by admission indication. While depressive symptoms remained stable throughout hospitalization, anxiety symptoms significantly improved over time. These findings suggest that distress may be greatest at the time of admission, supporting early screening and targeted mental health interventions.
Comments
Advisor: Sarah Buzhardt MD