Depressive Symptoms In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Czech Republic—Broader Sociodemographic Causes, Connections and Implications

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2023;102:1014–1025) The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted various aspects of life, posing risks not only to physical health but also to mental well-being. Psychological effects such as stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent, particularly among pregnant women, with potential repercussions for pregnancy outcomes. This study explored the sociodemographic and psychological factors during the COVID pandemic that affected the mood of pregnant Czech women. Conducted through the MindCOVID study, our survey included 1830 pregnant women, utilizing standardized instruments (GAD-7 and PHQ-9) to assess anxiety and depression. The study focused on culturally specific characteristics and risk factors for mental disorders, providing valuable insights for effective multidisciplinary health care planning.

Antenatal Depression and its Associated Factors: Findings from Kuwait Birth Cohort Study.

Pregnant and postpartum women are at high risk of depression due to hormonal and biological changes. Antenatal depression is understudied compared to postpartum depression and its predictors remain highly controversial. To estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and investigate factors associated with this condition including vitamin D, folate and Vitamin B12 among participants in the Kuwait Birth Study. Data collection occurred as part of the Kuwait Birth Cohort Study in which pregnant women were recruited in the second and third trimester during antenatal care visits. Data on antenatal depression were collected using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), considering a score of ≥ 13 as an indicator of depression. Logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women. Of 1108 participants in the Kuwait Birth Cohort study, 1070(96.6%) completed the EPDS. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 21.03%(95%CI:18.62-23.59%) and 17.85%(95%CI:15.60-20.28%) as indicated by an EPDS ≥ 13 and EPDS ≥ 14 respectively. In the multivariable analysis, passive smoking at home, experiencing stressful life events during pregnancy, and a lower level of vitamin B12 were identified as predisposing factors. Conversely, having desire for the pregnancy and consumption of fruits and vegetables were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Approximately, one fifth of pregnant women had depressive symptoms indicating the need to implement screening program for depression in pregnant women, a measure not systematically implemented in Kuwait. Specifically, screening efforts should focus on pregnant women with unintended pregnancies, exposure to passive smoking at home, and recent stressful live events.

Mild differences in the role of somatic symptoms in depression networks in pregnancy and postpartum: A comparison with women outside peripartum

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental ailments in pregnancy. Many authors have discussed the appropriateness of somatic symptoms for depression assessment in pregnancy and postpartum. However, no study has examined the role of somatic symptoms in networks of pregnant and postpartum women compared to women outside peripartum. Here, we show that somatic symptoms are essential to depression assessment during pregnancy and postpartum. We compared networks of the nine PHQ-9 items across pregnant women (n = 894, Mage = 29.29), women in postpartum (n = 586, Mage = 29.83) and women outside peripartum (n = 1029, Mage = 24.87). While three of the five somatic symptoms in PHQ-9 were more present in pregnant women than in those outside the peripartum, the three networks were highly similar regarding the position of the somatic symptoms and their relation to the emotional-cognitive symptoms. Most depression symptoms in pregnant women were predicted by other depression symptoms to a lesser extent than in postpartum and outside peripartum. Other external variables are therefore needed to explain these sensations in pregnancy. In addition to the incidence of somatic symptoms, practitioners should ask pregnant women about their attributions of these.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic

Partner support for women's antidepressant treatment and its association with depressive symptoms in pregnant women, mothers, and women planning pregnancy.

To examine the association between partner support for women's antidepressant treatment and depressive symptoms in pregnant women, those planning pregnancy, and mothers who ever used antidepressants. We included 334 women (n=44 planners, n=182 pregnant, n=108 mothers) ever treated with antidepressants within the HEALTHx2 study, a web-based cross-sectional study conducted across Norway in June 2020 to June 2021. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and two questions of the Patient Health Questionnaire measured depressive symptoms, by degree of severity and for depressed mood, anxiety, and anhedonia sub-dimensions. Partner support was measured using one item from the Antidepressant Compliance Questionnaire. Association was estimated via unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression models. Being unsupported by the partner was associated with increased odds of reporting moderate-to-very-severe depressive symptoms in mothers (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 3.57; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-12.19) and pregnant women (aOR, 3.26; 95% CI, 0.95-11.14), relative to being supported. Pregnant women (adjusted mean difference (β), 0.76; 95% CI, 0.14-1.38) and mothers (β, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.23-1.64) with no support for their antidepressant treatment presented greater symptoms of anhedonia; for women planning pregnancy, this association emerged in relation to anxiety symptoms (β among non-users of antidepressant, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.04-4.13). Partner support for women's antidepressant treatment may play a key role in depressive symptoms severity and the subtypes of anhedonia and anxiety, among women planning pregnancy, pregnant women, and mothers. This highlights the importance of partner inclusion in the complex decision-making process for antidepressant treatment around the time of pregnancy.

Depressive symptoms in pregnant women treated at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora

Introduction. Pregnancy, being a situation of vulnerability and with its inherent changes, places women at a great risk of depression. In Mexico, the prevalence of probable depression in pregnant women treated at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, was 17.8%, assessed using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS). To date, there are no data regarding this issue in Sonora. Objective. To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women treated at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora (México). Method. An observational, descriptive, transversal, and prospective study was conducted in 2021, applying the EPDS in 168 2nd/3rd trimester pregnant women, selected by non-probabilistic sampling by consecutive cases. Sociodemographic variables, pathological/non-pathological, gynecological, and obstetrical personal history were explored. The analysis was performed using measures of central tendency and dispersion for quantitative variables; for qualitative variables, frequency and percentage; χ2 test to assess differences in distribution of depressive symptomatology by age and the rest of variables. Results. A global prevalence of “probable depression” of 14.3% was determined. The majority, within 20-29 age group, with a partner and a planned/desired pregnancy. High school educational level, 50%. History of intimate partner violence, 54.2%. Almost 40%, primigravida. Substance use, denied. Overweight/obesity, in 70%. Discussion and conclusion. There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, going unnoticed for reasons such as insufficient knowledge (patient/health care providers), since there is no routine screening. It is imperative to work on prevention, detection and treatment, since it entails multiple consequences at a binomial, family, and social level.

SINTOMAS DEPRESSIVOS E FATORES ASSOCIADOS EM GESTANTES ASSISTIDAS NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women attended in primary healthcare. Method: this is an epidemiological, cross-sectional and analytical study conducted in Montes Claros, in the north of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The dependent variable (depressive symptoms) and independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics, social support, obstetric characteristics, sexuality and health conditions) were collected through a questionnaire and validated scales. The collection took place between October 2018 and November 2019. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple analyzes were performed through multinomial logistics regression. Results: a sample of 1,279 pregnant women was evaluated. The estimated prevalence of moderate and serious depressive symptoms was 16.2% and 25.2%, respectively. Low social support (p<0.001), low sexual performance (p = 0.002) and a high level of perceived stress (p<0.001) were factors associated with moderate depressive symptoms. First gestational trimester (p = 0.006), low social support (p<0.001), low sexual performance (p<0.001) and a high level of perceived stress (p<0.001) were factors associated with serious depressive symptoms. Conclusion: the prevalence of moderate and serious depressive symptoms in pregnant women attended in primary healthcare was considerable. Factors related to social support, gestational quarter (first quarter), sexuality and perceived stress showed association with these symptoms. Caution and the promotion of mental health is necessary for pregnant women in this scenario.

Depresión en la población gestante peruana y sus factores asociados: análisis de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar 2018-2019

ObjectiveTo determine the factors associated with the presence of depressive symptoms in the Peruvian pregnant population using the Demographic and Family Health Survey ENDES 2018–2019. Material and methodsA secondary base analysis of the ENDES 2018 and 2019 was carried out. The PHQ-9 instrument was used to evaluate depressive symptoms. Standardized questions were used to measure the history of violence. In the multi-variable model, Poisson regression was used, the crude PR was calculated and adjusted with 95% CI, the variables entered the model according to statistical criteria. ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women was 6.8%. There was 19.7% of pregnant women who expressed having had a history of general violence. An association was found with said antecedent (PRa 3.8, 95% CI=1.6; 8.8, p=0.002), the presence of some type of disability (PRa=9.4, 95% CI=1.8; 50.1, p=0.01) and the number of children (PRa=1.5, 95% CI=1.0; 2.2, p=0.03). Respondents who wanted to wait longer to get pregnant were 5.1 times the prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those who wanted to get pregnant at that time (p<0.001). There was no significant association between the rest of the variables and the outcome. ConclusionThe present study showed that a history of general violence, the presence of some type of disability, the number of children and the waiting time to get pregnant are associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women. More studies are required, especially of a longitudinal type.

Effectiveness of Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Depression in Pregnancy

The high prevalence of depression in developed and developing countries requires a relevant intervention to suppress its incidence. Mindfulness-based intervention is given online as a new complementary intervention that can help reduce symptoms of depression. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms in pregnancy. This research method used a randomized control trial, with 66 participants consisting of the mindfulness-based Intervention (MBI) group of 33 participants and the control group of 33 participants. The MBI intervention was provided for eight weeks online. The study uses simple random sampling. Depression was assessed using DASS 42. Data were tested using the Mann-Whitney U Test and t-test and processed with SPSS version 23. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in depression levels in the online MBI group after being given intervention compared to the control group (7.55 ± 2.181 vs 11.00 ± 2.345) p=0.000. Mindfulness-based intervention online can reduce depressive symptoms in pregnant women, so that the intervention becomes a feasible, cheap and easy intervention for pregnant women in improving mental health. In the future, this research can develop other types of complementary interventions to improve maternal and fetal health.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic-Broader sociodemographic causes, connections and implications.

Our study (part of multicentric "MindCOVID") investigates risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. The study used a prospective cross-sectional design. Data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Standardized scales, general anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 and patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-9 were administered online. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic, medical and psychological variables. The Czech sample included 1830 pregnant women. An increase of depressive and anxiety symptoms measured by PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with unfavorable financial situation, low social and family support, psychological and medical problems before and during pregnancy and infertility treatment. Fear of being infected and adverse effect of COVID-19, feeling of burden related to restrictions during delivery and organization of delivery and feeling of burden related to finances were associated with worse anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social and emotional support and lack of financial worries are protective factors against mood disorders in pregnant women in relation to COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, adequate information about organization of delivery and additional support from healthcare professionals during the delivery are needed. Our findings can be used for preventive interventions, given that repeated pandemics in the future are anticipated.

The impact of the second COVID-19 lockdown on anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women: A case study of pregnant women in northern Italy

Backgroundthe different lockdown phases due to COVID-19 may have negatively impacted pregnant women's mental health. Concerning antenatal stress, most studies focused more on the effect of pandemic onset than on the impact of the following phases and restrictions. Aimthe present study aimed to assess levels of anxiety and depression in a group of Italian pregnant women during the second COVID-19 phase and possible risk factors. MethodWe recruited 156 pregnant women through our Perinatal Psychology Outpatient Clinic. We divided the sample into women recruited before the pandemic (N = 88) through a face-to-face antenatal class and pregnant women recruited during the second lockdown (Covid-19 study group) (November 2020–April 2021) through the same antenatal class via Skype (N = 68). To investigate depressive and anxiety symptoms, we administered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) scales; women's medical history and obstetric data were collected. Findingswomen belonging to the Covid-19 study group reported higher depressive and anxious levels than the pre-pandemic group. Moreover, during the second lockdown previous psychopathology and being close to childbirth were related to increased depression; a history of abortion was related to higher levels of trait anxiety instead. Conclusionrecurrent restrictive measures due to COVID-19 negatively affected the antenatal mental well-being of pregnant women, particularly worsening depressive and anxious feelings. Pregnant women during the pandemic represented a vulnerable population to be monitored more closely and timely to prevent psychological problems in the postpartum period and their consequences on the child. Keywordsanxiety, depression, pregnancy, COVID-19, mental health, lockdown.

Dấu hiệu trầm cảm và một số yếu tố liên quan ở phụ nữ mang thai tại bệnh viện Phụ sản Hà Nội

Objectives: Evaluated depressive symptoms in pregnant women and identified risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology hospital collecting data from November 2021 to March 2022, using a structured questionnaire among 444 pregnant women. Edinburgh Depression Scale was used to assess antenatal depression. Anxiety and social support were investigated by the PROMIS Anxiety Adult, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine related factors for antenatal depression. Main findings: 68.2% of participants reported antenatal depressive symptoms. Risk factors were previous stillbirth, current gynecological diseases, and antenatal anxiety. While higher levels of social support, later trimester, higher educational levels were associated with lower psychological symptoms. Conclusions: We emphasized the importance of implementing formal screening programs to detect antennal depression early and encourage the support from family and friends for expected mother during pregnancy. Keywords: Depression, pregnancy, pregnant women, COVID-19.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women and Related Perinatal Outcomes.

To evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes, 1087 pregnant women completed online questionnaires. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between depression and anxiety symptoms, participants’ characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Of the 986 pregnant women who were included in this study, the rates of anxiety symptoms and depressive tendencies were 13.4% and 18.3%, respectively. Sleep disorder ((Adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4.166; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.797−6.205), time spent paying attention to the epidemic per day (≥1 h/d AOR = 1.568; 95% CI: 1.052−2.338), and the time spent with their spouses (Increase AOR = 0.629; 95% CI: 0.409−0.967) were associated with the risk of anxiety. Sleep disorder (AOR = 3.839; 95% CI: 2.718−5.432) and educational level (bachelor’s degree or above AOR = 1.833; 95% CI: 1.004−3.345) were associated with the risk of depression. Psychological status was not correlated with the pregnancy outcomes (p > 0.05). Anxiety and depression symptoms were common among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention should be paid to manage their risk factors.

Dysfunctional Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Pandemic: the Mediating Roles of Self-Compassion and Mindful Self-Care

ObjectivesThere is evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of pregnant women, such as an increase in the prevalence of depression. Given the negative consequences that depressive symptoms can pose for pregnant women, it is crucial to understand how cognitive processes influence women’s depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among this specific vulnerable population. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between pregnant women’s dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood and their depressive symptoms, considering the mediating roles of self-compassion and mindful self-care.MethodA cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Portugal between October 2020 and April 2021. A sample of 244 pregnant women answered a set of questionnaires to assess dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood, depressive symptoms, self-compassion, and mindful self-care.ResultsMore dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and this relation was mediated through self-compassion and mindful self-care.ConclusionsThese results highlight that self-compassion and mindful self-care are important psychological mechanisms and the importance of considering them in psychological interventions to prevent and/or treat depressive symptoms in pregnant women with dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood during stressful events such as a pandemic.

Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Affect Labor-Related Anxiety and Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women?

The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly had significant effects on women's health and the course of pregnancy. The aim of this single-center study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adult pregnant and postpartum women's mental health, as well as to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms, anxiety and fear of delivery. The 465 women included in this questionnaire-based cohort study were divided into two groups: one (controls) of women who gave birth before (n = 190), and the second who were pregnant and delivered during the pandemic (n = 275). The COVID-19 pandemic affected the severity of self-reported anxiety regarding childbirth (mean scores 2.7 vs. 2.36, p = 0.01). The depression (19.84 ± 13.23) and anxiety (16.71 ± 12.53) scores were higher in pregnant women during the COVID 19 pandemic, compared to women who gave birth before the pandemic (8.21 ± 7.38 and 11.67 ± 9.23, respectively). These findings demonstrate the magnitude of the pandemic's impact on women's mental health, and actions to improve the mental health of pregnant women in Poland may be crucial for maternal and fetal well-being.

Common model of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in pregnant women from seven high-income Western countries at the COVID-19 pandemic onset

ObjectiveIncreases in stress, anxiety, and depression among women pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported internationally. Yet rigorous comparison of the prevalence of maternal mental health problems across countries is lacking. Moreover, whether stress is a common predictor of maternal mental health during the pandemic across countries is unknown. Methods8148 pregnant women from Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States were enrolled in the International COVID-19 Pregnancy Experiences (I-COPE) Study between April 17 and May 31, 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, pandemic-related stress, pregnancy-specific stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed with well-validated instruments. The magnitude of stress and mood disturbances was compared across countries. A path model predicting clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression from maternal characteristics and stress was tested for all study participants and then examined separately in each country with >200 participants. ResultsCountries differed significantly in magnitude of pandemic-related pregnancy stress and pandemic-unrelated pregnancy-specific stress, and in prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depression levels. A well-fitting common path model for the entire sample indicated that mood and anxiety disturbances were strongly predicted by pandemic-related and pregnancy-specific stress after accounting for maternal characteristics. The model was replicated in individual countries. ConclusionsAlthough pregnant women in high-income Western countries experienced different levels of stress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, stress is a strong, common predictor of anxiety and depressive symptoms in these individuals. The common model can be used to inform research and clinical interventions to protect against adverse consequences of prenatal maternal stress, anxiety, and depression for mothers and infants.

Path analysis of influencing factors for prenatal depressive symptoms in pregnant women

ObjectivesTo explore the influencing factors and relationships associated with prenatal depressive symptoms in pregnant women. MethodsThis study was a survey based cross-sectional investigation conducted on 750 pregnant women who underwent pregnancy and delivery examinations in a third class hospital in Urumqi City, and their general information was collected and a patient health questionnaire using a depression scale (Patients' Health Questionnaire Depression Scale - 9 item, PHQ - 9). Spss25.0 was used to compare the differences between the maternal depressive symptoms group and the non-depressed group, and Amos23.0 was used to construct a structural equation model to explore the influencing factors. ResultsThe incidence of depressive symptoms in 750 pregnant women was 13.6 % (102/750) and maternal prenatal depressive symptoms was related to occupation, total monthly income, physical exercise, psychological preparation for pregnancy, residence status, couple relationship, knowledge about pregnancy and other factors (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors for prenatal depressive symptoms in pregnant women included occupation (OR = 2.492), monthly gross income (OR = 1.293), psychological preparation for pregnancy (OR = 1.882), residential status (OR = 1.831), knowledge about pregnancy (OR = 2.028), prenatal anxiety (OR = 1.415), and pregnancy stress (OR = 4.590). The constructed path analysis model had good a fit (x2/DF = 3.805, GFI = 0.976, AGFI = 0.946, NFI = 0.902, CFI = 0.924, RMSEA = 0.061) and the path analysis showed that pregnancy stress had only a direct effect on prenatal depressive symptoms (effect value 0.169). DiscussionThe binary logistic regression model showed that knowledge about pregnancy had the greatest influence on prenatal depressive symptoms, and the popularization of pregnancy knowledge reduced prenatal depressive symptoms.

Differences in associations between family functioning and anxious and depressive symptoms in Chinese women and their partners in early pregnancy.

Family functioning is associated with anxiety and depression. Perinatal depression and anxiety are common and influence the well-being of women, partners and their offspring. However, little is known about differences in associations between family functioning and mood symptoms in women and their partners in early pregnancy. Investigating differences in associations between family functioning and anxious and depressive symptoms in women and their partners in early pregnancy. In total, 171 woman-partner pairs were enrolled. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item scale (GAD-7) and Family Assessment Device (FAD) were performed. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to investigate the associations. In pregnant women, all the subscale scores on the FAD were correlated with total scores on the EPDS and GAD-7 (all P < 0.05), whereas only the Roles subscale showed a predicting effect in regression models (P < 0.01). In partners, all the subscale scores on the FAD were related to total scores on the PHQ-9 (all P < 0.05), whereas only the Problem Solving subscale showed a predicting effect (P = 0.029). Our findings indicate that family functioning in the domain of roles is associated with anxious and depressive symptoms in pregnant women and functioning in the domain of problem solving is associated with depressive symptoms in partners. Clinicians should pay special attention to roles and problem solving when assessing mood symptoms in pregnant women and their partners. This study also provides a basis for family health education in early pregnancy.

Impact of health literacy on anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic

To investigate the relationships between communicative and critical health literacy (CCHL) and anxiety and depressive symptoms (ADs) in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted and 5466 pregnant women responded in Japan in September 2020. A Kessler 6 scale (K6) score ≥ 10, an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 13, and four CCHL groups were analyzed using a logistic regression model and trend test. The proportions of pregnant women with a K6 score ≥ 10 and EPDS score ≥ 13 were 13.5 and 15.4%, respectively. In comparisons with the low CCHL group, the adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) for anxiety symptoms was 0.770 (0.604–0.982) in the high CCHL group, while those for depressive symptoms were 0.777 (0.639–0.946), 0.665 (0.537–0.824), and 0.666 (0.529–0.838) in the lower, higher, and high CCHL groups (all p < 0.05), respectively, after adjustments for potential confounding factors, such as age, weeks of gestation, complications, history, number of children, marital status, education, employment, and income. Higher CCHL was associated with significantly lower adjusted odds ratios for anxiety (p for trend = 0.019) and depressive symptoms (p for trend < 0.001). These results suggest a relationship between CCHL and ADs in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depression Among Portuguese Pregnant Women During Covid-19 Lockdown: A Cross Sectional Study.

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 was declared as a pandemic on March 2020. Research on its psychological effects is still lacking. Perinatal depression is a medical complication of pregnancy, especially in situations of stress. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of symptoms of depression in pregnant women during the lockdown period in Portugal.MethodsThis study consisted in a cross-sectional study among Portuguese pregnant women, who completed an online self-report questionnaire between 25th April and 30th April 2020. An anonymous online questionnaire was developed to assess depression and concerns related to COVID-19. This study was approved by the IRB of Hospital Dona Estefânia and performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki. Eligibility criteria included pregnant women, ≥ 18 years and living in Portugal. The primary outcome was to evaluate the presence of depressive symptoms and its association to socio-demographic characteristics and to concerns related to COVID-19.ResultsA total of 1698 pregnant women were enrolled. The mean age was 31.9 years. 82.4% felt a negative impact of the pandemic in the surveillance of pregnancy and 43% felt insufficient support. 26.3% showed “possible depression” according to the EPDS. A regression analysis revealed the possibility of depression increased as the concerns about COVID increased and was lower for women with support. The possibility of depression was higher for women with psychiatric medical history.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a significant increase in clinically significant depressive symptoms in pregnant women during the lockdown. It also revealed some of the socio-demographic characteristics of women at risk for depression. If left untreated, depression tends to persist, affecting the woman and also the child. Our findings suggest that COVID-19 represents a serious challenge for this population and reinforce the urgent need for early detection and intervention on mental health issues during pregnancy, especially during the pandemic.