Canadian study: Corona pandemic affected the psychological and mental health of pregnant women

A Canadian study showed the impact of the Corona pandemic on the mental and psychological health of pregnant and lactating women in Canada. virus epidemic Zika The ice storm in Quebec in 1998.

The study focuses on the first three waves of the Corona pandemic, and according to the data collected, 23 percent of pregnant or postpartum women in Canada suffer from major depressive symptoms, and about 40 percent of them have moderate to severe symptoms, primarily related to anxiety and stress. .

Professor Berard said: “While much attention is paid to the physical health of pregnant women, these findings demonstrate that their mental health must also be taken care of, and appropriate psychological support programs during and after childbirth should be put in place.”

The pregnancy study also showed that women who gave birth during the epidemic had more severe depressive symptoms than expectant mothers, as the prevalence of symptoms increased as pregnant women approached delivery.

“Depression, anxiety and stress in pregnant women are associated with risks of preterm birth and cognitive problems during childhood,” Berard added. “To measure the impact of these symptoms and develop strategies to reduce them, we now believe it is necessary to ensure longitudinal follow-up of children born during this period.”

Of the three waves studied, the second wave between December 2020 and April 2021 was found to have the greatest impact on the mental health of pregnant women. More than 3,000 Canadian women, including 2,574 pregnant women and 626 women who delivered, were recruited via social media and maternity clinics. Selected between June 2020 and August 2021.

The study used the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale to analyze sociodemographic factors and measures of mental health and to compare outcomes by stage of pregnancy, trimester of pregnancy, and pandemic wave.

Pregnant participants completed an online survey twice, upon recruitment during pregnancy and two months after delivery, women who had already given birth completed only one survey, follow-up of pregnancy participants and their children up to 18 months, and some children being assessed in person at 24 months of age, as the corona pandemic continues .

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