The article is the review of research studies published in 2020 on anxiety, depression and stress of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that 35% to 69,6% pregnant women and newly mothers experience moderate-to-strong levels of anxiety, 18,2%-36,4% demonstrate clinically significant symptoms of depression, 10,3-16,7% have symptoms of PTSD. These numbers are twice higher than the prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress presented in pre-pandemic scientific literature. The most significant factor influencing the high levels of anxiety, stress and depression during the pandemic is the presence of these disorders before pregnancy. Other important factors are younger age, lower household income, lack of social support, and bigger family. Data on differences on anxiety, depression and stress between women in different trimesters and postpartum are contradictory.

BACKGROUND: The number of infertile women has been increasing since 2015, with a 1015% increase in IVF cycles every year. The data on mental health of women using assisted reproductive technology are contradictory; there is little research on the dynamics of mental health outcomes from pregnancy to postpartum. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dynamics of mental health measures in the groups of pre- and postpartum women using assisted reproductive technology and to compare these groups with women who conceived spontaneously. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study had three stages: during pregnancy, within one month after delivery, and in four to nine months after childbirth, and included 59 women who used assisted reproductive technology (34.0 4.60 years old) and 85 women with natural pregnancy (30.6 4.39 years old). All the women had singleton, planned pregnancy, with the most of them at more than 20 weeks pregnant. Drop out within research stages was approximately 2030%. We used the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment, socio-demographic and obstetric data gathering, as well as a postpartum telephone interview. RESULTS: Women in the assisted reproductive technology group were less likely (р = 0.000) to attend or plan to attend childbirth preparation courses. In this study group, emergency (40%) and planned (26%) caesarean sections were used more often (p = 0.001); in 17% of cases, they gave birth before 37 weeks of gestation (vs. 1.9% in the group of women with natural pregnancy); and only 51% of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology used breast feeding (vs. 78% in the group of women with natural pregnancy). No significant differences in Apgar scores and the number of problems in childs health straight after the delivery were shown. In 49 months after the childs birth in the group of women using assisted reproductive technology, the number of somatic disorders was significantly higher (р = 0.046) compared to the group of women with natural pregnancy. The analysis of the dynamics of mental health measures revealed an increase of withdrawal (p = 0.010) and thought problems (p = 0.001) in the group of women using assisted reproductive technology. In the group of women with natural pregnancy, the analysis revealed a decrease in the number of mental health problems such as anxiety / depression, somatic problems, delinquent behavior, as well as DSM-associated anxiety disorder and avoidance (р 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Mental health measures of women undergoing assisted reproductive technology, their dynamics after childbirth, the number of preterm births and cesarean sections, as well as feeding type altogether may be a risk factor for the mental health and development of the children. These women may require additional support.

Introduction. The article presents the results of adaptation and validation of the Russian-language version of the Maternal antenatal attachment scale (MAAS) by J. Condon «Maternal prenatal attachment». This scale is aimed at studying the relationship of a mother to a child during pregnancy (quality of attachment, attachment behavior). Method. The study sample consisted of 320 pregnant women aged 18—44 years (average age — 27.1 years), gestational age — from 8 to 39 weeks (average 26.8 weeks). Results and conclusions. The Russian-language version of the scale was checked for internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficient — 0.83). Testing of constructive validity using Pregnant women attitude test, Relationship color test and Family drawing showed a close correlation with indicators of attitude towards the child. In addition to the original version of the method processing, a second version of the method processing was proposed — in accordance with the structure of prenatal attachment (cognitive, emotional and behavioral components).

BACKGROUND: During the pandemic pregnant women experience a wide range of negative feelings that can have short- and long-term impact on both the woman and her child. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of stress associated with the coronavirus pandemic on the emotional state of pregnant women and their childbirth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Impact of Events Scale-Revised, telephone interview about delivery process and outcome, socio-demographic data. Research is done online, data is being gathered. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Majority of women experience high (36%) and moderate (48%) anxiety. Changes in the national healthcare system, the financial situation in the family and the political situation in this country are having a greater negative impact on pregnant women than their fear for the childs and their own health. Remote preparation, refusal of their partners delivery, forced change of plans for childbirth have become significant factors for a negative assessment of labor and delivery. 69% evaluate delivery process as difficult, 42% report on obstetric aggression.