Psychological impact and social support in pregnant women during lockdown due to SARS‐CoV2 pandemic: A cohort study

Abstract

Introduction Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The SARS CoV‐2 pandemic, and the complete lockdown required during the first wave in most countries are stressors for pregnant women and can lead to anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore depression and anxiety symptoms, and social support in pregnant women during the SARS CoV‐2 lockdown, as well as to explore demographic risk factors. Material and methods A prospective cohort study was performed at Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, including pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic during the SARS‐CoV2 lockdown period. Three questionnaires were administered to study depression (EPDS), anxiety (STAI) and Social Support (MOS‐SSS). STAI state (STAIs) described the actual state of anxiety and the STAI trait (STAIt) described the trait of anxiety. A cut‐off of 10 for EPDS and 40 for STAI was considered to be clinically relevant. The main outcome measures were depression and anxiety symptoms. Results A total of 217 women were invited to participate, and 204 accepted (94%). From these, 164 filled in the EPDS, 109 STAI and 159 MOS‐SSS questionnaires: 37.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.5%‐45.7%) (62/164) of women showed an EPDS result ≥10, 59.6% (95% CI 49.8%‐68.8%) (65/109) a STAI state (STAIs) ≥40, and 58.7% (95% CI 48.9%‐67.9%) (64/109) a STAI trait (STAIt) ≥40. Regression analysis showed that mental health disorder, Latin American origin and lack of social support were independent risk factors for anxiety symptoms in the STAIs ( P = .032, P = .040 and P = .029, respectively). Regarding depressive symptoms, maternal body mass index, mental health disorders and social support were independent factors ( P = .013, P = .015 and P = .000, respectively). Conclusions A lockdown scenario during the first wave of the SARS‐CoV 2 pandemic increased the symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women, particularly affecting those with less social support.

Women’s Depressive Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Pregnancy

“…Partner support is a well-known protective factor against depression during the perinatal period [59][60][61][62], especially in times of crisis and stress [63]. These results are consistent with reports of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic that demonstrate higher perceived social support was associated with less depressive symptoms [21], whereas a lack of social support was related to increased risk for perinatal depressive symptoms [64]. In a mixed-methods pilot study from the US, pregnant women who reported feelings of isolation and loneliness also reported that partner support was the most important protective factor which helped them to cope with the pandemic [33].…”

Factors associated with prenatal stress and anxiety in pregnant women during COVID-19 in Spain

“…73). 26 It is important to note that for the aforementioned studies 25 , 26 the sample was recruited in the hospital setting, unlike our study where they were recruited online. In a study conducted in Israel, it was observed that one of the most important sources of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant women was attending pregnancy check-ups and being in public places.…”

Women’s Psychological Health, Family Function, and Social Support During Their Third Trimester of Pregnancy Within the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Cross-sectional Survey

“…Pregnant women, who experience major physical and psychological changes, are a vulnerable population during the COVID-19 epidemic. The infection threat may cause stress on perinatal women and negatively influence their psychological health 1 . Home quarantine increases inconvenience of perinatal women's antenatal examinations, which might also negatively affect their psychological status.…”