Impact of COVID‐19 on pregnancy worry in the United States

• Published in: Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) Calif.), 2022-09, Vol.49 (3), p.420-429
• Main Authors: Burgess, Adriane, Breman, Rachel Blankstein, Roane, Lynnee A., Dada, Sophia, Bradley, Dani, Burcher, Paul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anxiety; Childbirth & labor; Content analysis; COVID-19; Descriptive research; Employment; Grief; Inequality; Infants; isolation; Maternal and infant welfare; Measures; Medical personnel; Mental depression; Mental health; Pandemics; Polls & surveys; Postpartum period; Pregnancy; Race; Racial groups; Research design; Stress; Womens health; Worry
• ISSN: 0730-7659; 1523-536X
• DOI: 10.1111/birt.12608

Background Several recent studies confirm that the COVID‐19 pandemic has increased symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnant persons around world. In this study, we aimed to uncover the impact of COVID‐19 on worry during pregnancy. Methods This study used a cross‐sectional descriptive research design. A link to a survey was emailed to users of the Ovia Pregnancy app. Participants (N = 253) completed the survey, which included the Cambridge Worry in Pregnancy Scale, and answered several free text questions. The free‐text questions were included to capture worries not listed on the scale and to allow participants the opportunity to more clearly describe COVID‐19‐related worries. Descriptive statistics were reported, and content analysis performed to determine themes. Results Overall, respondents reported they were quite or very worried about having their partner with them at birth (31.7%, n = 80), giving birth (28.2%; n = 71), and something being wrong with the baby (27.3%; n = 69). Results on worries also differed by participants’ race, parity, and trimester. When comparing White to other racial groups, other racial groups had statistically significantly higher median scores for questions on worries about employment (P = .001), going to the hospital (P = .002), and internal examinations (P = .03). Content analysis revealed isolation, loss of support, anxiety/stress, and grief as major themes. Discussion The worry, isolation, loss of support, anxiety, and grief reported by pregnant persons during the COVID‐19 pandemic may impact maternal pre‐ and postnatal mental health and are not borne equally. Birthing persons of color appear disproportionately impacted. Prenatally, maternity care providers should assess for worry and provide individualized education and resources to pregnant patients, centering individuals and communities made most vulnerable by structural inequality.