Introduction: Anxiety is a common response that prepares us to escape from a dangerous situation. Approximately 14 % of the population in the European union confront with anxiety disorders, that are more common in women. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to determine the prevalence of anxiety among pregnant women, risk factors for the onset of anxiety, the impact on pregnancy, its outcome and labour and what measurements are used in reasearch for measuring anxiety. Methods: Descriptive method of research was used with a systematic review of professional and scientific literature. Literature was searched using Slovenian databases: COBISS and DiKUL, and other literature was found using foreign databases: Science Direct and Google Scholar. Accessible articles and literature in the English and Slovenian languages, from 2000 to 2018 were included. Results: About 6 % of pregnant women develop anxiety. Pregnant women with anxiety disorders are constantly worried and have the feeling that something bad will happen. High levels of anxiety-depressive symptoms in pregnant women are associated with unpleasant maternal outcomes. The results of studies that were included in the literature review have showed that anxiety is a common mental disorder in pregnancy and that affects mainly pregnant women in the last trimester. Anxiety in pregnancy is affected by poorer education and economic status of pregnant women, age, medical complications in previous pregnancies, lack of partner, social support and violence. Anxiety affects the mental health of a woman and her well-being. The researchers associated anxiety with the development of preeclampsia, tocophobia, prolonged birth, premature birth and unplanned caesarean section. In all of the studies included in the literature review, measurement scales were used to determine anxiety. The most commonly used scales were STAI and CES-D. Discussion and conclusion: The last trimester of pregnancy is a particularly demanding period for a woman. Changes cause that during this period, pregnant women often face fears. In untreated mental disorders, the risk of a worse outcome of pregnancy is increased. By ensuring the regular education of health professionals who are responsible for the care of women of childbearing age, the way of recognizing mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, would be significantly improved.
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