Background With the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, pregnancy and childbirth for women are taking place in unusual circumstances. We explored the lived experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand their experience of pregnancy so that better support could be provided. Methods We used a descriptive phenomenological approach to understand the lived experience of pregnant women in COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data using a purposive sampling method through in-depth interviews in cyberspace with a semi-structured questionnaire. We used Colaizzi’s seven-step content analysis method to analyze the research data with the help of MAXQDA software version 2020. Results We conducted this descriptive phenomenology study on 19 pregnant women in a period between the 10th to the 20th of May, 2020. The participating women were already pregnant when the first signs of the epidemic appeared in the country and at the time of the interview. We acquired four themes including disruption of the tranquility and regular routines of daily life, new challenges caused by the epidemic, resilience and strength in facing the crisis, and adaptation with new conditions. Conclusions The pregnant women were under intense stress during the COVID-19 outbreak. The general mobilization the health system is necessary for alleviating pregnant women’s difficulties in situations like the COVID-19 epidemic. Virtual training classes and virtual counseling may enhance the peace and tranquility of pregnant women.

Background COVID-19 caused some worries among pregnant women. Worries during pregnancy can affect women’s well-being. We investigated worry and well-being and associated factors among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 484 pregnant women using an online questionnaire. Sampling was performed in a period between May 5 and Aug 5, 2020. Inclusion criteria were having a single healthy fetus and having no significant psychological disorder. We collected the data using the Persian versions of the World Health Organization’s Well-Being Index (WHO-5 Well-Being Index) and the Cambridge Worry Scale. We used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of women’s worry and well-being. Results The mean total scores of the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and the percentage of WHO-5 score < 50 were 64.9 ± 29.0 and 24.4%, respectively. Predictors of women’s worry are the increased level of fear of COVID-19 (OR = 6.40, p <  0.001), a low family income (OR = 3.41, p <  0.001), employment status (OR = 1.86, p = 0.019), nulliparity (OR = 1.68, p = 0.024), having a COVID-19 infected person among relatives (OR = 2.45, p = 0.036), having a history of abortion (OR = 1.86, p = 0.012), having participated in the study after the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak (OR = 2.328, p = 0.003), and women’s age < 30 year (OR = 2.11, p = 0.002). Predictors of low level of well-being in pregnant women are worry about their own health and relationships (OR = 1.789, p = .017), worry about fetus health (OR = 1.946, p = 0.009), and having at least one infected person with COVID-19 among relatives (OR = 2.135, p = 0.036). Conclusions The percentage of women experiencing a low well-being state was relatively high. This result is worthy of attention by health care providers and policy makers. Providing care and support to pregnant women should have high priority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BackgroundFear of childbirth may cause complications such as experiencing severe labour pain, postpartum depression, and impaired mother–fetus attachment.ObjectiveTo validate the Farsi version of the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) (versions A & B) in a sample of Iranian women.MethodsThe WDE-Q (versions A & B) was translated into Farsi, and the content validity of the scales was confirmed. In a cross-sectional study conducted in 2015, 405 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy and 320 postpartum women completed the Farsi W-DEQ versions A & B, respectively. The construct validity and reliability of the scales were examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, respectively. SPSS version 18 and Lisrel version 8.80 were used for statistical analyses.ResultsResults of the CFA on 33 items could not confirm the one-factor structure proposed by Wijma (RMSEA= 0.14, SRMR=0.11, Chi-square/df=8.95, p<0.05, CFI=0.86, IFI=0.86) or other structures suggested by previous studies. We conducted an EFA on 33-item version A and found six factors with eigenvalue > 1. One item was not loaded on any factor. A CFA on 32 items of the W-DEQ (version B) yielded acceptable fit for the factorial structure found on version A (RMSEA= 0.075 (CI [0.071, 0.08]), SRMR=0.078, Chi-square/df=2.93, p<0.05, CFI=0.95, IFI=0.95). Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients for the 32-item Farsi W-DEQ (versions A & B) were 0.914 and 0.919, respectively.ConclusionsBoth Farsi W-DEQ are reliable and valid instruments to assess fear of childbirth in Iranian pregnant and postpartum women. Further research should be designed to examine the validity of the W-DEQ (A) in pregnant women regardless of gestational age.

No abstract

p120-catenin (p120ctn) plays a major role in cell adhesion and motility through the regulation of E-cadherin and interaction with RhoGTPase and Rac1. p120ctn is downregulated in several malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we investigated transcriptional regulation of p120ctn in NSCLC. We cloned a 1,400-bp amplicon of chromosome 11 from position −1,082 to +320 relative to the transcription start site into a firefly luciferase reporter vector and prepared serial deletion constructs to pinpoint cis-acting elements involved in the regulation of p120ctn. We transfected NSCLC cell lines and immortalized normal human respiratory epithelial cells with the abovementioned constructs. We found reduced p120ctn promoter activity, protein level, and mRNA message in lung cancer cells compared with noncancerous immortalized lung epithelial cells. Serial deletion analysis of p120ctn promoter identified a region between positions +267 and +282, which mediated the transcriptional repression of p120ctn. This region harbored putative binding sites for FOXC2 and FOXL1 transcription factors. Direct binding of FOXC2 to the p120ctn promoter between positions +267 and +282 was confirmed by electromobility shift assay. RNAi-mediated silencing of FOXC2 in A549, H157, and H358 cells resulted in increasing p120ctn promoter activity as well as mRNA and protein levels. Finally, silencing FOXC2 in these NSCLC cells enhanced E-cadherin level, which was reversed by simultaneous silencing of p120ctn. In summary, our data support the notion that FOXC2 mediates the transcriptional repression of p120ctn in NSCLC. Mol Cancer Res; 8(5); 762-74.