Implications of COVID-19 on mental health of pregnant women: Does timing of infection matter?

Background and Objectives

This study aimed to examine sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between pregnant women infected (cases) and non-infected (controls) with COVID-19 and their offspring, focusing on the trimester in which the infection occurred

Methods

A total of 115 mother-infant dyads (64 cases and 51 controls), were analysed to evaluate maternal, delivery and new-borns’ characteristics. In particular, anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep satisfaction, perinatal stress, bonding, social support or fear of COVID-19, during pregnancy and 6-weeks after delivery were explored. Student's t-test, chi-square and repeated measure analysis of variance were used for comparisons when appropriate

Results

No significant differences were observed between the two groups in any of the variables analysed, except for the mothers’ education, which was higher in the control group. Regarding the timing of infection, those who were infected during the first trimester reported lower levels of perceived social support and higher levels of anxiety

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the emotional impact of the pandemic may be similar throughout the population, regardless of infection status. However, the impact of the COVID-19 on mental health of future mothers appears to be more significant during the early stages of pregnancy. These results underscore the relevance of providing adequate support from the early stages of pregnancy, in order to enhance women well-being.