Objective To investigate the situation and influencing factors associated with pregnancy-related anxiety among 467 pregnant women in Qingdao, Shandong, in order to provide evidence for clinical and preventive intervention.

Methods Totally 467 pregnant women who received antenatal care at Laoshan maternal and child health care and family planning service center and community health centers from January to June 2021 were recruited as study subjects. Questionnaire survey was used to collect information about pregnancy-related anxiety, sense of security and other related factors. Chi-square test, analysis of variance and regression analysis were used to analyze the occurrence and influencing factors of pregnancy-related anxiety.

Results The detection rate of pregnancy anxiety was 30.19%(141/467). The score of "worry about fetal health" were not different at various pregnant periods (P > 0.05). The score of "self focus" were 8.65 ± 2.47 and 8.95 ± 2.52 at midterm and late pregnancy, which were higher than that at early pregnancy (7.84 ± 2.15). The score of "Worry about labour process" (4.25 ± 1.83) was the highest at late pregnancy. The total score of security (64.03 ± 11.21) was the highest at early pregnancy, which was higher that those at midterm and late pregnancy. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that pregnancy-related anxiety was mostly affected by the "sense of control" (β = - 0.439, P < 0.001). 'The confidence in caring for the baby (β = - 0.113, P < 0.001)', 'fetal gender expectation (β = 0.137, P < 0.001)', 'working pressure during pregnancy (β = 0.112, P = 0.003)' and 'first labour or not (β = 0.087, P = 0.015)' were all associated with pregnancy-related anxiety.

Conclusion Enhancing the sense of control, decreasing excessive expectations of fetal gender, increasing confidence in caring for babies, and reducing working pressure during pregnancy could be the key content of pregnancy-related anxiety prevention and intervention.