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Pregnancy and childbirth during the coronavirus pandemic. The cross-sectional study of 1321 participants in Poland
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Affiliations- 2nd Department and Clinic of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
open access
Abstract
Objectives: The impact of infection with novel coronavirus — SARS-CoV-2 — on women’s and fetus’ was unclear; therefore, it was the reason for many worries. We wanted to understand and describe the worries of pregnant women, assess mental well-being, and analyse the problems affecting prenatal care and hospital stay in this unprecedented time.
Material and methods: We designed an original 23-question survey aimed at women who were pregnant during the pandemic or who gave birth at that time. The survey included demographic data, questions about prenatal care, mental status and worries, and hospitalisation.
Results: Our study included 1321 women: 1010 (76.5%) during pregnancy and 311 (23.5%) after the delivery in the studied time. For 1168 (88,4%) respondents, the pandemic had a negative impact on their mood. The three main concerns were: the need for isolation from the child (n = 498, 37.7%), the childbirth without a partner/trusted companion (n = 417, 31.6%) and the risk of infection of the child in hospital (n = 381, 28.8%).
Conclusions: The novel coronavirus pandemic affects the mental health of pregnant women. Pregnant patients should be considered a group of particular concerns. Patients consider remote obstetrical consultations as an insufficient approach. The reason for the highest worries of pregnant patients is a lack of companionship during labour. There was no difference between the rate of childbirth via caesarean sections over vaginal delivery during the "first wave" of the pandemic.
Abstract
Objectives: The impact of infection with novel coronavirus — SARS-CoV-2 — on women’s and fetus’ was unclear; therefore, it was the reason for many worries. We wanted to understand and describe the worries of pregnant women, assess mental well-being, and analyse the problems affecting prenatal care and hospital stay in this unprecedented time.
Material and methods: We designed an original 23-question survey aimed at women who were pregnant during the pandemic or who gave birth at that time. The survey included demographic data, questions about prenatal care, mental status and worries, and hospitalisation.
Results: Our study included 1321 women: 1010 (76.5%) during pregnancy and 311 (23.5%) after the delivery in the studied time. For 1168 (88,4%) respondents, the pandemic had a negative impact on their mood. The three main concerns were: the need for isolation from the child (n = 498, 37.7%), the childbirth without a partner/trusted companion (n = 417, 31.6%) and the risk of infection of the child in hospital (n = 381, 28.8%).
Conclusions: The novel coronavirus pandemic affects the mental health of pregnant women. Pregnant patients should be considered a group of particular concerns. Patients consider remote obstetrical consultations as an insufficient approach. The reason for the highest worries of pregnant patients is a lack of companionship during labour. There was no difference between the rate of childbirth via caesarean sections over vaginal delivery during the "first wave" of the pandemic.
Keywords
COVID-19; pregnancy; obstetric care; mental health
About this articleTitle
Pregnancy and childbirth during the coronavirus pandemic. The cross-sectional study of 1321 participants in Poland
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
842-846
Published online
2021-11-30
Page views
4270
Article views/downloads
702
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Ginekol Pol 2022;93(10):842-846.
Keywords
COVID-19
pregnancy
obstetric care
mental health
Authors
Jan Jurgiel
Adrianna Graniak
Konrad Jozwik
Michal Pomorski
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