INTRODUCTION:The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health. We evaluated the impact on pregnant women and compared the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) and a Maternal Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire (mPQOL) before and during the pandemic to evaluate the effect of the pandemic on maternal mental health and quality of life.METHODS:After institutional review board approval, EPDS screening exams and mPQOL surveys were collected postpartum on all pregnant women during six 12-week epochs prior to and during the pandemic (Epoch 1: December 16, 2019, to March 8, 2020; Epoch 2: March 9, 2020, to May 31, 2020; Epoch 3: June 1, 2020, to August 23, 2020; Epoch 4: August 24, 2020, to November 15, 2020; Epoch 5: November 16, 2020, to January 31, 2021; Epoch 6: February 1, 2021, to May 2, 2021). Scores were compared among the epochs. A score of 13 or higher indicated screening positive for depression. The mPQOL survey was evaluated by sub-categories: Psychological/Baby, Socioeconomic, Relational/Partner, Relationships/Family, and Health/Functioning. Satisfaction was ranked on a scale from 1 to 6 (1=very dissatisfied, 6=very satisfied). EPDS scores and mPQOL scores were compared among the epochs to determine contributors that impacted quality of life during the pandemic.RESULTS:Out of 2,011 women, an EPDS score of 13 or higher increased from 3% to 9% from Epoch 1 to Epoch 2 and peaked at 11% in Epoch 5 (P=0.007). mPQOL Socioeconomic and Relational/Partner sub-category scores decreased significantly from 5.8 to 5.5 (P=0.014) and 5.5 to 5.4 (P=0.041), respectively, from Epoch 2 to Epoch 3.CONCLUSION:There was a significant increase in positive EPDS screens in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sub-scores obtained from the mPQOL survey suggest that increasing socioeconomic concerns and relational partner issues may have driven these trends.
Objective Circumvallate placenta has a suggested association with adverse pregnancy outcomes (antenatal bleeding, placental abruption, preterm birth, emergency cesarean, small for gestational age infants, and stillbirth). The aim was to determine if prenatal diagnosis of circumvallate placenta is associated with these adverse pregnancy outcomes. Study Design Pregnancies with a singleton gestation prenatally diagnosed with circumvallate placenta between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2021 were identified. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were obtained. Rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes were compared among those with prenatally diagnosed circumvallate placentas to those without this prenatal diagnosis with a 4:1 control matched group. Pregnancies with known fetal anomalies or other placental abnormalities were excluded. Statistical analyses included Student's t-test and Χ 2 with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results Prenatal ultrasound findings of circumvallate placenta were seen in 179 pregnant people (0.20% of all anatomic US studies and 0.17% of all deliveries). Diagnosis was made at a mean gestational age of 19.8 ± 2.4 weeks. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were similar between groups. Conclusion Prenatal ultrasound findings of circumvallate placenta do not correlate with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Given overall good prognosis, prenatal diagnosis of circumvallate placenta may not warrant additional surveillance during pregnancy. Key Points
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