Mental health among pregnant women with COVID‐19–related stressors and worries in the United States

Abstract

Background Few studies have evaluated whether pandemic‐related stressors, worries, and social distancing have affected the mental health of pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods Data came from an online survey of United States pregnant women (n = 715), conducted in May 2020. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were used to assess depressive symptoms, thoughts of self‐harm, and moderate or severe anxiety. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the associations of COVID‐19 experiences with mental health outcomes. Results Participants were racially diverse. The prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes was 36% for probable depression, 20% for thoughts of self‐harm, and 22% for anxiety. Women who reported family members dying from COVID‐19 had four times higher odds of having thoughts of self‐harm than women who did not experience family death. Depression was more prevalent among women who canceled or reduced medical appointments. Women were more likely to have worse mental health outcomes if they expressed worry about getting financial or emotional/social support, about their pregnancy, or about family or friends. Strict social distancing was positively associated with depression. A higher proportion of adults working from home was inversely associated with depression and thoughts of self‐harm. Conclusion High percentages of pregnant women had symptoms of depression or anxiety, suggesting an urgent need to screen and treat mental health conditions among pregnant women during the pandemic. Pandemic‐related risks and protective factors are relevant to developing tailored interventions to address the mental health of pregnant women during pandemic circumstances.

Behavioral coping phenotypes and associated psychosocial outcomes of pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…These findings elevate concerns about the impact of COVID-19-related stressors on mental health outcomes in pregnant and postpartum women, particularly given the chronic and widespread nature of these experiences. Indeed, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, studies across the globe have observed high rates of depression and anxiety in perinatal women 15 – 18 . Preventing or attenuating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders is essential for preventing a sequelae of intergenerational transmission and negative developmental consequences.…”

Indirect impact of SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic on pregnancy and childbirth outcomes: A nine‐month long experience from a university center in Lombardy

“…Reduced inperson antenatal visits may have contributed to these findings. 40,41 Also, high levels of prenatal stress and anxiety, which have been reported in pregnant women exposed to the pandemic-related lockdown 35,[60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] and are risk factors for PTB, 72,73 might have played a role. Another possible explanation includes change in the referral patterns with more high-risk women referred to our university center.…”

“…d Assessed at hospital discharge. mother and her fetus and the radical changes swiftly implemented in labor and birth care 35,[60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] might explain this increase and its temporal trend.…”

Opinion of Health Care Providers on Birth Companions in Obstetrics Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

“…35 Pandemic related stressors, worries and social distancing have affected the mental health of pregnant women, with a high percentage of them having symptoms of depression and anxiety. 36 Therefore role played by a birth companion under these circumstances is of a higher magnitude than ever before.…”