Depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in pregnant women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: This study evaluates depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in pregnant women before and during COVID-19 pandemic and analyzes their risk factors.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analyses included pregnant women with depression, anxiety, and stress levels evaluated both in the Novel Coronavirus-Pregnancy Cohort study (NCP) and the Healthy Baby Cohort study (HBC). NCP was conducted during COVID-19 pandemic, while HBC was performed before the pandemic. Multiple logistic regressions were employed to evaluate the associations between COVID-19 pandemic and other co-variables and maternal mental health.

Results: NCP and HBC studies respectively included 531 and 2352 participants. Depression rates differed significantly between the two studies (p < 0.05). The mild and moderate-to-severe depression rates in NCP study were 25.8% and 10.36%, respectively, and 19.94% and 0.55% in HBC study. The stress rate of participants was higher in HBC study (69.39%) than in NCP study (60.45%) (p < 0.05). COVID-19 pandemic was correlated with higher depression but lower stress risks (p < 0.05) in pregnant women, with OR and 95% CI as 1.68 (1.16, 2.44) and 0.42 (0.29, 0.61), respectively. Pregnant women with pre-pregnancy obesity and high educational levels might have lower risks for depression, anxiety, and stress than those with normal weight and low educational levels.

Conclusions: Depression among pregnant women was impacted by the pandemic. Apart from COVID-19 pandemic impact, pre-pregnant weight status and educational level might also influence depression, anxiety and stress statuses in pregnant women.