SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2021
Women's experiences and perceptions of anxiety and stress during the perinatal period: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis.
Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 61 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
61 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Impact of Exercise Dose-Response on Maternal Mental Health and Perinatal Depression Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.International journal of public health · 2025Pooled it
- The role of emotion regulation in perinatal depression and anxiety: a systematic review.BMC psychology · 2024Pooled it
- Trial
- Parents' experiences with the Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) intervention - a scoping review of qualitative studies.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2026Article
- Longitudinal links between prenatal maternal depression and anxiety symptoms and infant temperament: The roles of postnatal symptoms and perceived partner support.Infant mental health journal · 2026Article
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Severity and Associated Factors Among Female College Students in Nekemte Town: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.Health science reports · 2026Article
- Women living with diabetes: Overlooked and under-recognised, the psychosocial impact.Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association · 2026Review
- Prenatal Exposure to Anxiolytics: A Critical Review on Brain Development and Neurobehavioral Manifestations in Offspring.Neurotoxicity research · 2026Review
- The Meanings and Experiences of Motherhood in Women Diagnosed With Severe Mental Illness: A Tidal Model-Informed Qualitative Study.International journal of mental health nursing · 2026Article
- Integrating mental health into obstetric practice: a review of collaborative care models for perinatal anxiety.Journal of perinatal medicine · 2026Review
- Perspectives and support needs for a spouse-inclusive digital intervention for perinatal depression and anxiety: a qualitative study.Women's health nursing (Seoul, Korea) · 2026Article
- Maternal mental health as a neglected dimension of primary health care systems responsiveness in low- and middle-income countries: a mixed methods cross-sectional study in Ghana.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Psychosocial Predictors of Maternal-Fetal Attachment in Anxious Pregnancies: A Study Among Women With Prior Miscarriages.Health science reports · 2026Article
- Role of mothers' fear of negative evaluation and perceived parenting competence on early child development: a longitudinal examination from ante- to postnatal period.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Barriers and Facilitators to Perinatal Care Access and Utilization among Black Multiparous Women in the United States: A Scoping Review.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2026Review
- Evaluating the factor structure of the pregnancy-related anxiety scale: implications for maternal and infant wellbeing.Journal of reproductive and infant psychology · 2026Article
- Machine Learning-Based Prediction of Antepartum Depression Symptoms: A Prospective Cohort Study.International journal of women's health · 2026Article
- Perspectives of professionals on the perinatal period as a window of opportunity for change in women with SUD: insights from healthcare, child welfare, substance use, and child protection services.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Design and evaluation of a group-based integrative expressive art therapy intervention for mental health among pregnant women in China: a pilot pre-post study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Birthing beyond the binary: An interpretative Phenomenological analysis of perinatal mental health experiences among genderqueer and nonbinary birthing people.International journal of transgender health · 2026Article
1 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe perinatal period, from pregnancy to the first year postpartum, is a transitional period that can result in anxiety and stress for some women. Perinatal anxiety and stress can adversely impact the physical and psychological health of women and children. Understanding women's lived experiences of perinatal anxiety and stress is essential to better support women. The aim of this qualitative evidence synthesis was to examine women's experiences and perceptions of, and barriers and facilitators to coping with, perinatal anxiety and stress.
methodsDatabases CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Maternity and Infant Care were searched from inception to June 2020. Eligible studies included women who were pregnant or up to one year postpartum and examined women's experiences of anxiety and/or stress during the perinatal period. Data were synthesised using thematic synthesis.
resultsOf 20,318 identified articles, 13 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Five key themes emerged: Social support, women's experiences of healthcare, social norms and expectations, factors that impact on coping and mother and baby's health.
conclusionThis review provided a comprehensive synthesis of perinatal anxiety and stress. Findings indicate that increased support for perinatal mental health in antenatal and postpartum care is needed. Addressing unrealistic expectations and conceptualisations of motherhood is also important to better support women. Enhancing women's social support networks and provision of clear and consistent information are also essential to support women and minimise stress and anxiety in the perinatal period.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.