Coronavirus Pandemic and Worries during Pregnancy; a Letter to Editor
Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine,
Vol. 8 No. 1 (2020),
1 January 2020
,
Page e21
https://doi.org/10.22037/aaem.v8i1.598
Abstract
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new respiratory disease that is spreading widely throughout the world (1). There is no valid information available on pregnant women and their complications. But given previous epidemics (SARS and MERS), as well as mental and physical changes during pregnancy (2), pregnant women are more likely to be exposed.
On the other hand, the Coronavirus epidemic has created stress and anxiety for pregnant women in different parts of the world. Concern and stress in pregnancy are associated with side effects such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, depression, low birth weight, increased nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, preterm labor, low birth weight, low APGAR (3-5).
In the Coronavirus pandemic, pregnant women cited the following causes of their concerns:
- Many pregnant women have had a birth plan before pandemic, but are currently worried about how their families (mothers) will be present, given the urban and quarantine constraints, moreover, even if there is no inter-urban restriction, they may be worried about their families being transferred in transit.
- Many pregnant women do not go to work due to concerns that they may be exposed to Coronavirus due to the hospital environment or the route of the hospital and may be postterm. Or even vice versa, because of stress and worry they want an early termination and elective cesarean section.
- Many pregnant mothers are employed, constantly using sodium hypochlorite and alcohol detergents to control and prevent the virus, which can lead to poisoning. Some other pregnant mothers, on the other hand, become obsessed with stress and anxiety and are more likely to use these detergents.
Some mothers are worried about their fetal or their neonate being born. Also, some mothers worry about postpartum such as breastfeeding, neonatal care (postpartum vaccination, screening).
Increasing mothers 'awareness about the transmission of Coronavirus, risk factors, red flags , as well as providing tele counselling for pregnancy care and tele-triage help reduce anxiety and worry. It is also recommended that in cities where home birth and home services are available after birth and home care services, the medical team should provide these services at home while maintaining safety.
- Emergency Medical Services
How to Cite
References
Organization WH. Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Situation report-9, 29 January 2020. Geneva, Switzerland.2020.
Schwartz DA, Graham AL. Potential Maternal and Infant Outcomes from Coronavirus 2019-nCoV (SARS-CoV-2) Infecting Pregnant Women: Lessons from SARS, MERS, and Other Human Coronavirus Infections. Viruses. 2020;12(2):194.
Qiao Y, Wang J, Li J, Wang J. Effects of depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy on pregnant, obstetric and neonatal outcomes: a follow-up study. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2012;32(3):237-40.
Field T, Diego M, Hernandez-Reif M, Figueiredo B, Deeds O, Ascencio A, et al. Comorbid depression and anxiety effects on pregnancy and neonatal outcome. Infant Behavior and Development. 2010;33(1):23-9.
Rubinchik SM, Kablinger AS, Gardner JS. Medications for panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder during pregnancy. Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry. 2005;7(3):100-5.
Alder J, Fink N, Bitzer J, Hösli I, Holzgreve W. Depression and anxiety during pregnancy: a risk factor for obstetric, fetal and neonatal outcome? A critical review of the literature. The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine. 2007;20(3):189-209.
Littleton HL, Breitkopf CR, Berenson AB. Correlates of anxiety symptoms during pregnancy and association with perinatal outcomes: a meta-analysis. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology. 2007;196(5):424-32.
- Abstract Viewed: 1843 times
- PDF Downloaded: 862 times
- HTML Downloaded: 337 times