The effect of psycho-curative towards anxiety, cortisol, and PIBF level of pregnant woman during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Managing stress plays a vital role in building a healthier support system for pregnancy and increased fetal growth. However, many pregnant women undergo stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cortisol is associated with early miscarriage derived by the adrenal glands responding to stress. In addition, anxiety has side effects on women’s quality of life. PIBF mediates the immunomodulatory effects of progesterone during pregnancy. This study aimed to measure the changes in anxiety, cortisol, and PIBF, levels in the pregnant woman due to increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted in Community Health Center Surakarta, Indonesia. This study used twenty pregnant women and classified into two groups. The control group was given regular prenatal assessment, while the treatment group was given a psychocurrative intervention, including cognitive, social, spiritual, and physical support. This intervention was performed once a week in a class and twice at their homes. Blood was collected from the pregnant woman to measure PIBF and cortisol levels before and after the intervention. In addition, anxiety was measured using the DASS-21 scale. The paired t-test analysis was conducted to compare between the control and experimental groups at a significant level of 5%.