Pregnant women need better mental health support during COVID pandemic, reveals study

After a survey indicated that nearly three-quarters of those who were pregnant during pandemic h moderate to high levels of discomfort, and one in five developed depressive symptoms, a group of researchers proposed that more mental health supports for pregnant women be needed. study's findings were published in journal Canian Family Physician.

researchers assessed over 1,500 pregnant women online, 87% of whom were Canian, during COVID-19 pandemic, led by doctors from Unity Health Toronto. Nearly 69% of respondents said y were in moderate to severe distress, and 20% said y h depressive symptoms.

findings highlight impact pandemic has on families

Dr. Tali Bogler, research le author and family physician and chair of family medicine obstetrics at St. Michael's Hospital of Unity Health Toronto, said, " high levels of distress highlight importance of considering mental health centrally in supports for this population. findings also highlight overall impact pandemic has h on families in general and downstream impact this will have."

Although study was limited by lack of comparable data on levels of distress among pregnant women prior to pandemic. However, before pandemic, a population-based survey in Japan indicated that 28 to 32% of pregnant women were distressed. Researchers wanted to kw what were most common reasons of worry for pregnant parents during pandemic. To find out, participants were given a list of 27 worries and asked to rate how concerned y were about each one.

worries of first-time parents and more than one-time parents differed

"Hospital policies regarding support persons in labour, t being able to introduce ir baby to loved ones, getting sick from COVID-19 while pregnant, t being able to rely on family or friends for support after labour, and conflicting medical information on COVID-19 in pregnancy and newborns, especially early in pandemic," were among top five concerns during pregnancy. worries of first-time parents and more than one-time parents differed.  hospital tours were more concerning to first-time parents, but transmission of COVID-19 from older children in home was more concerning to more than one-time parents.

(Inputs from ANI)

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