Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way prenatal education and obstetric care are provided. Pandemic-related anxiety, restrictions, limitations in perinatal care, and the inability to be accompanied by a loved one can have negative psychological consequences for future parents and their child. The aim of this study was to analyze the determinants and assess the anxiety of pregnant women in individual trimesters, as well as to learn about the sources of support and medical personnel proceeding methods. Materials and Methods: This research was conducted as a diagnostic survey, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Childbirth Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ), and a standardized interview questionnaire, on 534 pregnant women in Poland. Resultsand Conclusions: The pregnant women, regardless of the trimester of pregnancy, are characterized by: increased anxiety level influenced by the current epidemiological situation, psychophysical condition, previous maternal experiences, participation in classes preparing for childbirth, organization of perinatal care, their relationship with a partner, and the presence of a loved one during childbirth. A negative correlation was shown between the level of childbirth anxiety and maternal experience, as well as the support of a doctor and midwife.
Highlights
In the stage of the study, we looked at the opinions on social support and factors influencing the level of childbirth anxiety
Women who were pregnant during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of trimester, were characterized by at least an elevated level of perinatal anxiety
The respondents claimed that pregnancy in the current epidemiological situation contributes to increased feelings of anxiety.The level of perinatal anxiety experienced by the respondents was influenced by maternal experience, the course of the previous delivery, and the psychophysical condition.Social support and perinatal care were important for the occurrence of labour anxiety
Summary
When faced with situations threatening life or health, negative emotions appear. When it is only moderate, it can increase the motivation to take action. As it worsens, it becomes a type of pathological emotion that has a negative impact on the person’s psyche and health [1]. Perinatal anxiety has a significant influence on the health situation of the mother and the development of the child. It is a common problem, as one in ten mothers experience symptoms of anxiety in pregnancy and postpartum [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
