Psychological impact of preconception counseling: assessment of anxiety before and during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE Assessment of anxiety levels in women and men before and after preconception counseling and during the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS Couples were recruited from the fertility clinic of the University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Anxiety was assessed using the 40-item Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS 53 women and 51 men (74%) completed the STAI both before and after counseling. Anxiety levels did not change significantly after counseling or during the first trimester of pregnancy. 83.4% would recommend preconception counseling to others. CONCLUSION Preconception counseling is valued by the majority of women and men and does not lead to adverse psychological effects.