Psychological impact and social support in pregnant women during lockdown due to SARS-CoV2 pandemic: A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The SARS CoV-2 pandemic, and the complete lockdown required during the first wave in most countries are stressors for pregnant women and can lead to anxiety and depression during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to explore depression and anxiety symptoms, and social support in pregnant women during the SARS CoV-2 lockdown, as well as to explore demographic risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed at Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, including pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic during the SARS-CoV2 lockdown period. Three questionnaires were administered to study depression (EPDS), anxiety (STAI) and Social Support (MOS-SSS). STAI state (STAIs) described the actual state of anxiety and the STAI trait (STAIt) described the trait of anxiety. A cut-off of 10 for EPDS and 40 for STAI was considered to be clinically relevant. The main outcome measures were depression and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 217 women were invited to participate, and 204 accepted (94%). From these, 164 filled in the EPDS, 109 STAI and 159 MOS-SSS questionnaires: 37.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30.5%-45.7%) (62/164) of women showed an EPDS result ≥10, 59.6% (95% CI 49.8%-68.8%) (65/109) a STAI state (STAIs) ≥40, and 58.7% (95% CI 48.9%-67.9%) (64/109) a STAI trait (STAIt) ≥40. Regression analysis showed that mental health disorder, Latin American origin and lack of social support were independent risk factors for anxiety symptoms in the STAIs (P = .032, P = .040 and P = .029, respectively). Regarding depressive symptoms, maternal body mass index, mental health disorders and social support were independent factors (P = .013, P = .015 and P = .000, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A lockdown scenario during the first wave of the SARS-CoV 2 pandemic increased the symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant women, particularly affecting those with less social support.

Impact of the trait anxiety during pregnancy on birth weight: an observational cohort study.

To explore the effects of antenatal anxiety on fetal growth an observational cohort study was performed, including a cohort of 204 women with singleton pregnancies during the strict lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Psychosocial factors, maternal demographics, obstetric outcomes, social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey, MOS-SSS), and symptoms of anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAIs and STAIt) and depression (Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, EPDS) were studied as potential predictors of low birth weight. Main outcome measures were birth weight, head circumference and length. Results showed a negative correlation between STAIt score (trait anxiety) and birth weight percentile (r = -0.228, p = .047). In the univariate linear regression analysis, a lower maternal weight and BMI before pregnancy, parity, increased STAIt score and preterm birth below 37 weeks of gestation (p = .008, p = .015, p = .028, p = .047 and p = .022, respectively) were identified as predictive risk factors for low birth weight, whereas in the multivariate lineal regression analysis only a lower maternal weight before pregnancy and an increased STAIt score were independent predictors for low birth weight (p = .020, p = .049, respectively). To conclude, anxiety during pregnancy impacts birth weight, and specifically the trait anxiety, is a predictor for low birth weight.

Social Support and Mental Health in the Postpartum Period in Times of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Spanish Multicentre Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the depression and anxiety symptoms in the postpartum period during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to identify potential risk factors. METHODS: A multicentre observational cohort study including 536 women was performed at three hospitals in Spain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) were assessed after birth. Depression (EPDS) and anxiety (STAI) symptoms were measured, and the cut-off scores were set at 10 and 13 for EPDS, and at 40 for STAI. RESULTS: Regarding EPDS, 32.3% (95% CI, 28% to 36.5%) of women had a score ≥ 10, and 17.3% (95% CI, 13.9% to 20.7%) had a score ≥ 13. Women with an STAI score ≥ 40 accounted for 46.8% (95% CI, 42.3% to 51.2%). A lower level of social support (MOS-SSS), a fetal malformation diagnosis and a history of depression (p = 0.000, p = 0.019 and p = 0.043) were independent risk factors for postpartum depression. A lower level of social support and a history of mental health disorders (p = 0.000, p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for postpartum anxiety. CONCLUSION: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed during the postpartum period.

End of Life Intervention Program During COVID-19 in Vall d'Hebron University Hospital.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and its consequences have placed our societies and healthcare systems under pressure. Also, a major impact on the individual and societal experience of death, dying, and bereavement has been observed. Factors such as social distancing, unexpected death or not being able to say goodbye, which might predict Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD), are taking place. Moreover, hospitals have become a habitual place for End of Life (EOL) situations but not in the usual conditions because, for example, mitigation measures prevent families from being together with hospitalized relatives. Therefore, we implemented an EOL program with a multidisciplinary team involving health social workers (HSW) and clinical psychologists (CP) in coordination with the medical teams and nursing staff. Objectives: We aim to describe an EOL intervention program implemented during COVID-19 in the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH). We present its structure, circuit, and functions. Descriptive analyses of the sample and the interventions that required psychological and social attention are reported. Material and methods: The total sample consists of 359 relatives of 219 EOL patients. Inclusion criteria were families cared for during the COVID-19 pandemic with family patients admitted to the HUVH in an EOL situation regardless of whether or not the patient was diagnosed with COVID-19. Results: Our program is based on family EOL care perceptions and the COVID-19 context features that hinder EOL situations. The program attended 219 families, of which 55.3% were COVID-19 patients and 44.7% had other pathologies. The EOL intervention program was activated in most of the EOL situations, specifically, in 85% of cases, and 78% of relatives were able to come and say goodbye to their loved ones. An emotional impact on the EOL team was reported. It is necessary to dignify the EOL situation in the COVID-19 pandemic, and appropriate psychosocial attention is needed to try to minimize future complications in grief processes and mitigate PGD.

Propuesta de un modelo ecosistémico para la atención integral a la salud mental perinatal / An ecosystemic model for comprehensive perinatal mental health care

La atención a la salud mental tradicionalmente ha prestado poca atención a las madres. Son muy escasos en nuestro medio los programas de atención integral a la salud mental perinatal. Proponemos un modelo de encuadre que sirva para la atención integral a la perinatalidad, incluyendo los cuidados a los procesos psíquicos de la reproducción, embarazo, parto y posparto desde una visión ecosistémica inspirada en las propuestas de Urie Bronfenbrenner y John Bowlby, entre otros, integrando las aportaciones de la neurobiología, la epigenética, los modelos de transmisión intergeneracional del apego y el trauma, la sistémica, y añadiendo una perspectiva de género y ecológica que permita visibilizar las necesidades de la díada madre-bebé en el centro como punto de partida para la prevención y la atención en perinatalidad. Proponemos una mirada perinatal como modelo para continuar profundizando en la atención a madres y familias en el inicio de la vida, así como para cuidar también a las profesionales que los atienden. Apostamos por la escucha, el acompañamiento y la psicoterapia como herramientas básicas en la atención comunitaria e individual a madres, bebés y familias. (AU)

Mental health care has traditionally paid little attention to mothers. Comprehensive perinatal mental health care programs are very scarce in our environment. We propose a framing model that serves for comprehensive perinatal care, including care for the mental processes of reproduction, pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum from an ecosystemic vision inspired by the proposals of Urie Bronfenbrenner and John Bowlby, among others. The model integrates data from neurobiology and epigenetics and theories from systemic and intergenerational transmission of attachment and trauma. It is embedded in a gender and ecological perspective that allows making visible the mother-baby dyad's needs in the center as a starting point for prevention and attention during the perinatal period. We propose a perinatal view as a model to continue deepening care for mothers and families at the beginning of life, as well as to care for the professionals who care for them. We bet on listening, support and psychotherapy as basic tools in community and individual care for mothers, babies, and families. (AU)