Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health of Pregnant Women Attending Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of psychological symptoms depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia and perceptions of transmission to baby in pregnant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: Pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Services hospital Lahore were recruited. Data was collected through a questionnaire which was filled by a doctor after face to face interview of the patient. Comparison of demographic data and psychological variables were
noted between insomnia and non-insomnia groups.
Results: Out of 310 total pregnant women, 184 (61.32%) had depression, 228(76%) anxiety and 88(29.3%) had stress with insomnia in 223(74.33%) patients. 273(88.06%) participants had perception of transmission of disease to babies and 214(69.03%) expected bad outcome for newborn. Symptoms of depression (83.86% vs 8.05) anxiety (95.62% vs 28.73%) and stress (53.5% vs 1.14%) were seen more in insomnia group(p<0.05). Illiterate and poor socioeconomic status women were more prone to insomnia in this pandemic(p<0.05)
Conclusion: Pregnant women have psychological stress and false perception of vertical transmission and adverse fetal outcome during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate counselling sessions are needed to eliminate these false perceptions and relieve psychological stress.