BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Physical and mental changes that caused by pregnancy, causing high levels of stress, which is associated with adverse outcomes for the mother and fetus and pregnant women require coping strategies during pregnancy to combat  with these created challenges. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between coping strategies and perceived stress of pregnancy and pregnant mothers.

METHODS: This study was done on 500 pregnant women as random sampling referred to 20 health centers in Mashhad. Information was obtained by using the Perceived Stress Questionnaire which scores range is from 0 to 56 and higher scores indicate greater perceived stress. In addition, coping strategies with pregnancy stress questionnaire which each subscale score measures separately was collected and evaluated.

FINDINGS: Average score of planned preparedness strategy was 3.12±9.34, the avoidance  strategy 5.9±3.14, positive spiritual strategy 7.5±3.17 and the perceived stress levels of participants 6.9±3.23, respectively. Between perceived stress and planned preparedness strategy (r= -0.69) and positive spiritual strategy (r= -0.68) was a significant inverse linear correlation and also between perceived stress and avoidance strategy (r=0.75) was a significant positive correlation (p<0.0001)

CONCLUSION: The results showed that perceived stress was positively correlated with planned preparedness strategy and positive spiritual strategy, whereas was inversely correlated with avoidance strategy