Einfluss der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die psychische Gesundheit während der Peripartalzeit – eine narrative Übersicht

[Mental Health of Women After Childbirth: Inpatient Family Rooms as a Resource? A Pilot Study]

Social support is a key factor in mental health. Obstetric wards can promote social support by providing family rooms. Family rooms are not yet universally accessible. Studies on their influence on the maternal psyche are also lacking. The present study examines the mental health of women with and without accommodation in a family room on an obstetric ward.113 patients filled in standardized scales on anxiety, depression, psychological well-being and post-traumatic stress symptoms 1-3 days postpartum. In addition, obstetric data of birth mode, pregnancy and birth complications were collected. Recruitment during strict pandemic visiting restrictions made it possible to compare women in the family room (constant presence of the partner) and women without a family room (without any visits).In the overall sample, anxiety (22.6%) and lack of psychological well-being (33.6%) were particularly evident. The two groups did not differ in terms of mental health, but women with birth complications and an unplanned birth mode in the family room had significantly lower anxiety scores than women without a family room.Women with birth complications exhibited higher post-traumatic stress symptoms overall. Additionally, women in the family room were significantly more often primipara, they more often had an unplanned birth mode and they differed in the frequency of their birth complications.This study provides first evidence for a psychoprotective influence of family rooms on anxiety in patients with previous complications and unplanned birth modes. A discussion on promoting family rooms, especially for patients with peripartal complications, appears necessary. Further studies on the effectiveness of family rooms are required.

[Peripartal COVID-19-Related Restrictions and Psychological Burden - A Quantitative Survey in Austria]

INTRODUCTION

The period from pregnancy to postpartum is a vulnerable time with an increased risk of mental illness. The COVID-19 pandemic led to restrictions in peripartum care, such as infection control measures, or restrictions regarding accompanying persons.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Effects of COVID-19-related restrictions on the psyche and well-being during the peripartum period in Austria were retrospectively assessed using a partially standardized online questionnaire. In addition to closed questions on restrictions and psychological stress, this also contained the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).

RESULTS

Data from 850 women who had given birth during the pandemic were included in the analysis. In 8.5% of cases, appointments were canceled during prenatal care, 10.7% had to wear a face mask during the birth. One in 10 women had to cope with the birth and one in 5 with the puerperium without a companion. Unaccompanied women were significantly less likely to feel well cared for during the birth, more likely to feel alone in the puerperium and, according to the EPDS score, were more likely (39% vs. 20%; p<0.001) to have a high probability of postpartum depression.

CONCLUSIONS

The pandemic-related restrictions led to anxiety, worry, loneliness and an increased risk of depression during the peripartum period. The balance of mental health was negatively affected by measures and restrictions. Even in times of pandemic, more attention needs to be paid to the vulnerable peripartum period.