Managing mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19

Harshmeet Kaur

doi:10.4103/tofj.tofj_4_20

REVIEW ARTICLE

Year : 2020 | Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | Page : 3-6

Managing mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19

Harshmeet Kaur
Ph.D. (Psychology), Panjab University, Chandigarh, Founder @TheBloom Mental Health and Wellness Coach, Delhi, India

Date of Submission	18-Jun-2020
Date of Acceptance	31-Oct-2020
Date of Web Publication	30-Jan-2021

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Harshmeet Kaur
S Block, Greater Kailash Part 2, New Delhi
India

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

DOI: 10.4103/tofj.tofj_4_20

Abstract

There is an uptrend in mental health issues among the general population during COVID. Psychologists speculated that the psychological impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women cannot be neglected. It can have a serious and long-lasting social-emotional impact on expectant mothers. Keeping the above in view, existing review on psychological impact of COVID-19 and its consequences among pregnant women was retrieved via the search on PubMed, Medscape, and Google Scholar database. Evidence also suggested effective coping strategies to be used during this time to manage stress. Guided by research evidence and medical guidelines, a brief guide called “CARE” which focuses on key self-care elements for healthy prenatal and postnatal experience during the COVID-19 crisis, are being discussed in the article. Globally, mental health and well-being awareness among pregnant women is needed.

Keywords: COVID-19, pregnancy, psychological impact, psychological management

How to cite this article:
Kaur H. Managing mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19. Onco Fertil J 2020;3:3-6

How to cite this URL:
Kaur H. Managing mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19. Onco Fertil J [serial online] 2020 [cited 2021 Feb 28];3:3-6. Available from: https://www.tofjonline.org/text.asp?2020/3/1/3/308407

Introduction

The WHO expressed that COVID-19 is dominating not only physical health but also causing serious and long-lasting disruptions in psychological health. Such widespread outbreak is a major concern for older adults, children, and pregnant women.^[11] Robust evidence indicated an increase in psychiatric disorders among the general population during COVID-19^[6],[24] A survey by Harvard School of T. H. Chan School of Pregistry indicated a need to assess well-being and mental health of pregnant and postpartum women as the spread of COVID-19 is going to increase the stress levels among the said population.

Methodology

A review of literature was undertaken on maternal prenatal psychological distress and its effects on child, the psychological impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women and psychological management of pregnant women during COVID-19. Research articles were selected from PubMed, Medscape, and Google Scholar. The search items included combinations of terms, e.g., “COVID-19,” “Pregnancy,” “Mental health,” “Psychological Impact of COVID-19,” “Anxiety,” “Depression,” and “Pregnant women,” to name a few.

Review of literature

Pregnancy is a life-changing event filled with emotional fluctuations as well as new challenges. Preexisting findings have indicated maternal anxiety, depression, and stress during pregnancy are associated with numerous prenatal and postnatal complications.^[7],[10]

It is well known that stressful life events and natural disasters have adverse mental health outcomes for pregnant women.^[16] Therefore, it can be implied that the psychological impact of life-threatening event like COVID-19 during pregnancy can affect women's mental health and that of her child. Research addressing the psychological impact of COVID-19 among pregnant women is evolving, and few data are available. Globally, recommendations related to the psychological management of pregnant women during COVID-19 are limited by lack of substantial evidence.^[22]

Guided by clinical observations and evidence, anxiety can lead to exhaustion of mind and body. Consider [Table 1] for signs and symptoms of stress/anxiety among pregnant women during COVID-19.

Table 1: Pregnant women during current crisis may respond in different ways

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Maternal mental health and well-being during COVID-19

[Table 2] shows that maternal prenatal psychological distress is related to negative psychological effects on mother and child. Psychologists speculated that the pandemic is going to have psychological impact on pregnant women. Therefore, the mental health aspect should be an important part of prenatal healthcare, especially during this time.^[15] Prenatal healthcare landscape is undergoing a change. Medical community, i.e., maternity care providers (gynecologists, obstetricians, midwives, and allied medical staff) are considering the need for comprehensive care, i.e., both physical and mental health care for pregnant women, pre- and postdelivery. Specialized toolkits like Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project for Moms and Project Teach are being created for maternity care providers to effectively manage mental health issues of pregnant women during this time. [Table 3] shows the psychological impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women. To have emotionally healthy pregnancy in the light of the pandemic, the mental health community is providing virtual mental health support through tele-counseling, apps based on therapy programs, discussion groups, and self-help tips.

Table 2: Research evidence: Maternal prenatal psychological distress and its psychological effects on mother and child

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Table 3: Research evidence: Psychological impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women

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Here are some notable and trusted support systems:

NIMHANS perinatal mental health helpline
Postpartum support international helpline
CBT for perinatal distress by beck institute of cbt
Lifeline 4 moms
Mumentum
Headspace
Mind the bump
Expectful
The bloom foundation.

During pandemic, pregnant women had been experiencing anxiety. The symptoms have been discussed in [Table 1]. Guided by research evidence and medical guidelines, given below is a brief guide called “CARE” which includes 4 key self-care elements for healthy prenatal and postnatal experience during the COVID-19 crisis [Table 4]. The key elements are shown in [Table 4]. In simple terms, self-care in pregnancy means “care for your mind, body, soul and your baby to-be.” Coping skills for women, that have been considered effective in dealing with COVID-19 stress has been discussed in [Table 5].

Table 4: Care model for managing mental health of pregnant women during COVID-19

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Table 5: Research evidence: Coping skills for women in pregnancy during COVID-19

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Conclusion

Rising to prenatal mental health issues during challenging times, researchers in the field of mental health science, practicing psychologists, and maternity care providers must be brought together to carry out more rigorous research related to its prevention. Better psychological interventions to boost prenatal and postnatal mental health and well-being of pregnant women during pandemic at a global level are needed. Considering the fact that approaching a mental health professional is still a stigma in India, enlarging awareness through various platforms such as web portals, webinars, social media, success stories events, storytelling, campaigns, government programs about getting access to mental health professionals for support during stressful life events is much needed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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