Network analysis and trajectories of maternal emotional symptoms during labor

BMC Psychol. 2025 Apr 18;13(1):403. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02713-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Owing to the prevalence of maternal mental health problems and the negative effects on both the mothers and infants, this research was conducted to analyze symptoms of maternal emotion and its trajectories during childbirth.

METHODS: In this prospective study, Women undergoing vaginal delivery in full-term single pregnancies were enrolled. Symptoms of maternal emotion in the process of childbirth through the scale of Profile Mood States (POMS), encompassing seven dimensions: nervousness, anger, fatigue, depression, confusion, vigour, and self-esteem. All participants were evaluated for their mood state three times, during the latency period (T1), the active period (T2), and the immediate postpartum period (T3).

RESULTS: 244 pregnant women were included. Before delivery, there were nervousness, confusion, fatigue and other emotions. As the delivery progressed, negative emotional symptoms intensified, particularly nervousness, fatigue, and confusion, accompanied by a marked decline in vigour. Once the delivery was over, the mood gradually calmed down, mainly positive emotions were observed. There was an evident association between vigour and fatigue only at T3. Confusion, depression, fatigue and nervousness constituted the core symptom group during labor, affecting other emotions of pregnant women. All the network diagrams during the three periods were all stable.

CONCLUSION: Confusion, depression, fatigue and nervousness constituted the core symptom group during labor. Attaching more importance to the effect of social psychological factors on childbirth, conducting maternal positive mental health education, and adopting maternal case management is imperative.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000038546; 23/09/2020.

PMID:40251665 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02713-0