Psychological Consequences in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy is a psychologically vulnerable phase in a woman's life. The diagnosis of COVID illness during pregnancy makes her susceptible to psychological problems. The support system has a crucial role in affecting the psychological state of pregnant women. Early detection can help in interventions for the mental health of these women. Objectives: To evaluate psychological consequences in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology unit of a tertiary care hospital in India; during the second wave of COVID-19 disease pandemic. A total of 40 pregnant women above 18 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19 disease were included. A thorough socio demographic and obstetrics evaluation was done. Psychological evaluation was done using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21), and perception of support was evaluated with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results: Mean gestational age was 30 weeks. A total of 35% of the cases were moderate, and 5% had severe COVID illness. On the DASS, 30% of women had mild depression, and 20% had moderate depression. A total of 77% of women reported anxiety, 32% with mild, 20% with moderate, and the rest 20 % with severe anxiety. Twenty percent of women had mild stress, and 7.5% showed severe stress. All 40 women reported moderate to high social support from a family member, friend, or significant another person. Conclusion: COVID-19 positive pregnant women, irrespective of its severity,had the presence of depression, anxiety, and stress. There was a lower proportion of depression, anxiety, and stress with the presence of social support.