Pandemic-related pregnancy stress among a group of Egyptian women during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Prenatal maternal stress is a known risk factor for preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant health problems and may have long-term impacts on the offspring. The study aimed to assess pandemic-related pregnancy stress among a group of Egyptian women during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design on 100 pregnant women who were selected using the purposive sample technique. The study was conducted at antenatal clinics of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Mansoura University Hospitals, Mansoura city, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. Two tools were utilized for gathering data; a structured interviewing questionnaire was used to assess the socio-demographic and reproductive characteristics of the studied pregnant women and the Pandemic-Related Pregnancy Stress scale was used to assess pandemic-related pregnancy stress among the studied pregnant women.Results: The study findings revealed that less than half of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic reported elevated levels of stress related to feeling unprepared for childbirth and around three-quarters experienced high stress related to perinatal infection.Conclusions: The study concluded that the studied pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic had high levels of stress related to inadequate preparation for childbirth and stress related to the potential for perinatal infection. In addition, infection stress was more prevalent than preparedness stress among the studied pregnant women. It is recommended to provide prenatal educational programs related to coping strategies during the pandemic.