Implementing “Online Communities” for pregnant women in times of COVID-19 for the promotion of maternal well-being and mother-to-infant bonding: a pretest–posttest study

Abstract

Background The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic elevated the risk for mental health problems in pregnant women, thereby increasing the risk for long-term negative consequences for mother and child well-being. There was an immediate need for easily accessible interventions for pregnant women experiencing elevated levels of pandemic related stress. Methods A three-session intervention “Online Communities” (OC) was developed at the beginning of the Dutch lockdown, and implemented by a team of midwives and psychologists specialized in Infant Mental Health. Pretest (N = 34) and posttest (N = 17) measurements of depressive symptoms, worries about COVID-19 and worries in general, and mother-to-infant bonding were administered, as well as a posttest evaluation. Results At pretest, the OC group was compared to two reference groups of pregnant women from an ongoing pregnancy cohort study: a COVID-19 (N = 209) and pre-COVID-19 reference group (N = 297). OC participants had significantly more depressive symptoms than both reference groups, and less positive feelings of bonding than the COVID-19 but not the pre-COVID-19 reference group. Compared to pretest, significant decreases in depressive symptoms (with significantly less participants scoring above cut-off) and worries about COVID-19 (large effect sizes) and worries in general (moderate to large effect size) were found at posttest for the OC participants. No significant improvement was found in bonding. Participants rated the intervention positively. Conclusions The current study provides initial evidence supporting the idea that OC is a promising and readily accessible intervention for pregnant women experiencing stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and possibly also applicable to other stressors. Trial registration This intervention was registered in the Netherlands Trial Registration (registration number Trial NL8842, registration date 18/08/2020).

Depression, anxiety, and stress in pregnancy and postpartum: A longitudinal study during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…As researchers expect that not only will COVID-19 continue to evolve and spread but that there are a number of other viruses that may lead to pandemics or endemics ( Behl et al, 2022 ; Telenti et al, 2021 ), providers, policy makers, and researchers should consider how to improve mental health for obstetric patients during health crises. This can be accomplished by implementing regular screening practices, coordinating care and referrals for individuals with high levels of symptoms, promoting online interventions, or increasing virtual social support ( Potharst et al, 2022 ; Puertas-Gonzalez et al, 2021 ; Suwalska et al, 2021 ). Incorporating these strategies pre-emptively may prevent negative maternal and fetal outcomes in future pandemics.…”

Pregnancy-Specific Stress during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessing Face-to-Face versus Online Recruitment

“…In this study, access to the internet and proficiency in computer skills were associated with a higher purchasing power and educational level. A previous study found that younger participants using an online recruitment method were more prone to drop out of the study than older and more educated participants [ 21 , 23 , 36 ]. According to these studies, older pregnant mothers with a high educational level are more likely to use the Internet to seek information regarding their health and participate in online evaluation and intervention.…”

“…Most of the traditional resources and strategies to monitor pregnancy and prepare women for birth were blocked or delayed in an attempt to constrain the ever-expanding SARS_CoV-2 and to provide spaces to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. New approaches were introduced, substituting antenatal face-to-face appointments with phone calls, video chats and other online approaches [ 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…The use of online social media platforms and services seems to have taken hold during the pandemic [ 21 ]. Recent studies evidenced that web-based antenatal care and education reduces pregnancy stress, improves self-efficacy and is an adequate response to the need to support pregnant woman, while curbing the spread of COVID-19 and increasing the sense of safety [ 12 , 21 ].…”

“…The use of online social media platforms and services seems to have taken hold during the pandemic [ 21 ]. Recent studies evidenced that web-based antenatal care and education reduces pregnancy stress, improves self-efficacy and is an adequate response to the need to support pregnant woman, while curbing the spread of COVID-19 and increasing the sense of safety [ 12 , 21 ]. The circumstances introduced by the COVID-19 outbreak and mobility restrictions have expanded and established the use of the internet and digital media as a trustful source of data collection in healthcare research.…”