The Relationship between Health Anxiety and Prenatal Distress with Choosing the Type of Childbirth in Pregnant Women during Covid-19 Outbreaks in Iran

Abstract

Background This study investigates the relationship between health anxiety and prenatal distress with choosing the type of childbirth in pregnant women during Covid-19 outbreaks in Iran.Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study on 200 nulliparous pregnant women who referred to health centers of Iran to perform routine pregnancy care. Convenient sampling was used, and each nulli pari pregnant woman who tended to enter the study was enrolled. The questionnaires used in this work were demographic and midwifery information questionnaire, health anxiety index-short form (HAI 18), and Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ). After filing out the above questionnaires, two questions regarding the type of delivery selected by them before and during epidemic of covid-19 and the reason of the selection were asked from the participants and were recorded. The information was analyzed in the final stage using SPSS software version 22.Results In general, 200 nulliparous pregnant women participated in this study. A significant statistical association was observed between choosing the type of delivery before and during the covid-19 pandemic (P=0.016). Women health anxiety showed significant statistical difference among various groups (P=0.0001). The highest score was 35.06±07.34 which was observed in the group that choose vaginal delivery at first but they selected cesarean section during the covid-19 pandemic. Mean score of prenatal distress score showed significant statistical difference among various groups (P=0.0001). The highest score was 20.06±4.72 which was observed in the group that choose cesarean before and during the covid-19 pandemic. Conclusion The current study showed the higher health anxiety and Prenatal distress in pregnant women, the significantly higher probable of selecting cesarean as delivery method. Therefore, due to the increase in pregnant women Health anxiety and Prenatal distress during the Covid-19 epidemic and its effect on the choice of delivery, planning to promote the mental health of pregnant women is very important.

Investigating the Potential Determining Factors Contributing to Mental Health Problems in Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

“…Contrary to the abovementioned studies, the study by Dagklis et al discovered no differences among the three trimesters of pregnancy regarding the incidence of anxiety (28). In Beheshtinasab et al study, there was no significant statistical association between gestational age (0.370) and health anxiety or prenatal distress scores (14). In the study by Berthelot et al, multivariate regressions were performed but no significant associations were observed between gestational age and the mood and anxiety symptoms (P=0.72) (39).…”

“…It should be noted that the cesarean section increases postpartum anxiety, stress, and depression, which can produce outcomes such as decline in fertility, increase in pregnancy intervals, and increase in labor risk in further pregnancies. Beheshtinasab et al suggested several reasons for the selection of cesarean section during of COVID-19 epidemic including: higher distress in the prenatal period as well as higher concern about the fetus rather than themselves, and fear of injury to baby during attempted vaginal delivery (14).…”

“…Beheshtinasab et al discovered the relationship of health anxiety and Prenatal Distress with the selection of delivery type before and during the COVID-19 epidemic (P < 0.001) (14).…”

The Association Of Anc (Antenatal Care) Obedient During The Covid-19 Pandemic With The Method And Outcomes Of Delivery At Public Health Center Dinoyo Malang

“…Bedasarkan hasil penelitian cara persalinan terbanyak yang dipilih oleh responden adalah persalinan secara SC yaitu sebanyak 167 responden (54.0%) dan sisanya sebanyak 142 responden (46.0%) memilih persalinan secara normal. Hal ini sesuai dengan penelitian Nasab (2020) bahwa lebih banyak ibu hamil yang memilih untuk melahirkan melalui operasi sesar di masa pandemi Covid-19 (Nasab et al, 2020). Pemilihan cara persalinan selama pandemi Covid-19 dapat dipengaruhi oleh peningkatan kecemasan yang dialami oleh Menurut peneliti salah satu alasan banyaknya ibu hamil yang lebih memilih persalinan secara SC selama pandemi Covid-19 adalah karena waktu dan durasi persalinan yang dapat ditentukan lebih pasti dibandingkan dengan persalinan normal sehingga ibu dan keluarga dapat merasa lebih tenang.…”

“…Ibu hamil akan lebih dipengaruhi oleh rasa cemas yang dirasakan dalam pengambilan keputusan cara persalinan yang akan dijalaninya. Hal ini didukung teori yang menyatakan bahwa sebagian besar ibu hamil mungkin akan memutuskan memilih persalinan secara SC karena berasumsi bahwa persalinan SC dapat mengurangi kemungkinan kontak virus Covid-19 antara ibu hamil dan bayi (Nasab et al, 2020). Bukti empiris juga menyebutkan bahwa stress pada ibu hamil yang cukup tinggi dapat mempengaruhi tingginya kejadian persalinan secara SC (Nwafor et al, 2021).…”