Mental Health in Obstetric Patients and Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Mar 1;65(1):203-215. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000668.

Abstract

Psychiatric morbidity is the most common childbirth complication with 1 in 5 women experiencing a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. The cost of this psychiatric morbidity is pervasive, contributing to devastating maternal health, child developmental, and economic consequences. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and associated changes to perinatal experiences, resulted in profound psychological reactions including increased anxiety, depression, stress disorders, and sleep disturbance, further impacting obstetric patients. Providers' mental health has been challenged by moral injury and shared trauma. This article reviews mental health outcomes in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic for obstetric patients and their providers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • COVID-19*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemics
  • Pregnancy
  • SARS-CoV-2