〔Abstract〕 To explore the relationship between the nodes of anxiety and depression symptoms in preg- nant women , and to analyze the interaction between these symptoms . Methods A convenient sampling method was used to evaluate the level of anxiety and depression among pregnant women who underwent antenatal check-up in the obstetric examination in a Grade Ⅲ A hospital. Data were collected using the General Data Questionnaire , the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) , and the Patient Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-9) . Based on the relationship between anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women , a network was constructed and analyzed . Results Among the 1 742 subjects , 476 (27 . 3% ) had anxiety , 290 (16. 6% ) had depression , and 218 (12. 5% ) had anxiety and depression comorbidities . The univariate analysis revealed statistically signifi- cant differences in various factors such as age , education level , occupation , gestational week , sleep status during pregnancy , exercise status during pregnancy , drinking , knowledge of pregnancy , planned pregnancy , living envi- ronment , husband-wife relationship , parent-in-law relationship and parental relationship had statistically significant differences in whether they had CAD (all P < 0. 05) . In the network of anxiety and depression symptoms , the edge weight between node PHQ2 (feeling down , depressed , or hopeless) and GAD6 (becoming easily annoyed or irrita- ble) , PHQ8 (slowed speech or movement , or becoming more restless and fidgety than usual) , as well as GAD5 (being so restless that it is difficult to sit still) was 0. 27 . The centrality measures of PHQ2 were as follows : be- tweenness (Bet ) = 2. 648 , closeness ( Clo) = 1 . 785 , strength ( Str) = 1 . 439 , and expected influence ( Exp) = 1 . 439 . Conclusion Node PHQ2 has the strongest correlation with GAD6 , PHQ8 , and GAD5 , with an edge weight of 0. 27 . PHQ2 has a significant impact on other symptoms within the network , making it the core symptom of the network . It is more involved in symptom interactions and plays a role in predicting other symptoms . Targeting PHQ2 as an intervention point can help develop effective treatment strategies , providing new insights into the asso- ciation between perinatal anxiety and depressive symptoms , as well as their clinical significance .