Frequency and Source of Worries in An International Sample of Pregnant and Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundPregnant and postpartum women face unique challenges and concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus far, no studies have explored the factors associated with increased levels of worry in this population globally. The current study sought to assess the frequency and sources of worry during the COVID-19 pandemic in an international sample of pregnant and postpartum women.MethodsWe conducted an anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey in 64 countries between May and June 2020. The survey was available in 12 languages and hosted on the Pregistry platform for COVID-19 studies. Participants were sought mainly on social media platforms and online parenting forums. The survey included questions related to demographics, level of worry, support, stress, COVID-19 exposure, frequency of media usage, and mental health indicators.ResultsThe study included 7,561 participants. Eighty-three percent of all participants indicated that they were either ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ worried. Women 13-28 weeks pregnant were significantly more likely to indicate that they were ‘very worried’ compared to those who were postpartum or at other stages of pregnancy. When compared with women living in Europe, those in Africa, Asia and Pacific, North America and South/Latin America were more likely to have increased levels of worry, as were those who more frequently interacted with social media. Different forms of support and stress also had an impact upon level of worry, while indicators of stress and anxiety were positively associated with worry level.ConclusionPregnant and postpartum women are vulnerable to the changes in societal norms brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the factors associated with levels of worry within this population will enable society to address potential unmet needs and improve the current and future mental health of parents and children.

Infant regulation during the pandemic: Associations with maternal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, well‐being, and socio‐emotional investment

“…These dimensions correspond to results from other studies. For instance, worries that the partner might miss the delivery have been common during the beginning of the pandemic in spring 2020 (Schaal et al., 2021; Wyszynski et al., 2021). Such worries have been related to increased levels of maternal birth anxiety (Schaal et al., 2021), and were directly related to different policies hospitals implemented whilst adapting to the COVID‐19 pandemic (Davis‐Floyd et al., 2020).…”

“…Such worries have been related to increased levels of maternal birth anxiety (Schaal et al., 2021), and were directly related to different policies hospitals implemented whilst adapting to the COVID‐19 pandemic (Davis‐Floyd et al., 2020). Like‐wise, worries about family members not being able to visit (social distancing) or family members getting sick, and adverse long‐lasting effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on child development (worrying about the child) have been voiced (Ben‐Yaakov & Taubman ‐ Ben‐Ari, 2021; Lebel et al., 2020; Schaal et al., 2021; Wyszynski et al., 2021). Information regarding caring for a newborn in the presence of a COVID‐19 infection (e.g., breastfeeding) and limited access to professional support reflect difficulties in receiving care during the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”

“…During the COVID‐19 pandemic, the level of maternal internalizing symptoms, such as symptoms of depression and anxiety, increased worldwide both prenatally and postpartum (Davenport et al., 2020; Fallon et al., 2021; Fan et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2021; Matsushima & Horiguchi, 2020; Spinola et al., 2020). Analyses of parental responses to the pandemic—how parents think, feel, or behave in response to the COVID‐19 virus and the implemented public health measures—identified that COVID‐19‐related health concerns regarding both the mother and the infant, worries that the partner might not be able to attend the delivery, and concerns about having access to professional care and support (e.g., by midwives or in hospitals), were associated with higher symptom levels in mothers (Lebel et al., 2020; Liu et al., 2021; Wyszynski et al., 2021). In contrast, pregnant and new mothers, who reported greater knowledge about preventing a COVID‐19 infection, displayed lower levels of depressive symptoms (Fan et al., 2022).…”

Psychological impact of COVID-19 among pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan.

“…In a LMIC country like Pakistan, currently, there is insufficient data available on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan. Further given *(N-1) +p*(1-p)] with 95 % confidence interval and anticipated frequency of 85%+/-5 12 , the sample size calculated was 201.…”

Mental Health of Postpartum Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Review

“…Nas Américas, entre janeiro de 2020 e maio de 2021, constataramse 1 271 óbitos em gestantes positivas para Sars-CoV-2, com registros no México (334 gestantes e puérperas), Peru (114 gestantes e puérperas), Estados Unidos da América (99 gestantes), Colômbia (69 gestantes) e Argentina (56 gestantes), cifras que, embora inferiores às brasileiras, corroboram o impacto do vírus no ciclo gravídicopuerperal (3). Somadas à apreensão pelo desfecho da doença no organismo materno, há a saúde dos familiares (4,5), a saúde do bebê, as alterações nos serviços de saúde materno-infantis, a presença ou não de acompanhante no parto e no pós-parto e a escassez de informação segura (4). As puérperas têm risco especialmente alto para perturbações de saúde mental na pandemia (6); logo, essas inquietações maternas podem contribuir para aumentar o sofrimento psicológico (4,(7)(8)(9), com mostras de que mulheres no período perinatal enfrentam sintomas de estresse, ansiedade (60 %) e depressão (12 %) (10) e sinais de provável aumento de depressão (11), ansiedade (1,12,13) e anedonia (12) motivadas pela percepção de risco para a covid-19 (12).…”