Abstract
New recommendations regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during delivery have changed the maternal birth experience. In this study, we investigated the mental perceived impact of PPE use during delivery on the development of maternal postpartum depression (PPD) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study concerning women who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic first lockdown period in Israel. Postpartum women were approached and asked to complete a comprehensive online questionnaire. Impact of PPE was graded on a scale of 1-5, and Impact of PPE ≥4 was considered high. PPD and PTSS were assessed using the EPDS and City BiTS questionnaires. Of 421 parturients, 36 (9%) reported high Impact of PPE. Parturients with high Impact of PPE had significantly higher PPD and PTSS scores)EPDS 8.4±5.8 vs. 5.7±5.3; City BiTS 9.2±10.3 vs. 5.8±7.8, p<0.05 for both). Following adjustment for socio-demographic and delivery confounders and fear of COVID-19 (using Fear of COVID19 scale), Impact of PPE remained positively correlated with PPD symptoms (ß=0.103, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.029-1.006, p=0.038). When examining the risk factors for developing postpartum PTSS-experiences during labor and PPE were found to be significant variables. As the use of PPE is crucial in this era of COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect both parturients and caregivers, creative measures should be taken in order to overcome the communication gap it poses.
Highlights
In terms of mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted tremendous influence on the population worldwide, with an increase in the prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression [1,2,3]
We aimed to investigate the impact of protective equipment (PPE) use by medical staff at birth as a risk factor for the future development of postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depressive (PPD) symptoms
We aimed to investigate the impact of PPE use during childbirth and to evaluate its association with postpartum PPD and PTSD symptoms, during the COVID-19 pandemic
Summary
In terms of mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted tremendous influence on the population worldwide, with an increase in the prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression [1,2,3]. A cross-sectional online study that evaluated maternal experience with respect to childbirth before and after the pandemic found that “Joy” was the most prevalent emotion expressed before COVID-19 and “Fear” was the most prevalent after. This change was attributed to the fear of the pandemic itself, and to all protective measures taken during delivery [12]. We investigated the mental perceived impact of PPE use during delivery on the development of maternal postpartum depression (PPD) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). As the use of PPE is crucial in this era of COVID-19 pandemic in order to protect both parturients and caregivers, creative measures should be taken in order to overcome the communication gap it poses
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
