The long-term postpartum anxiety and depression outcomes for mothers with COVID-19 during pregnancy

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with negative mental outcomes in the early
postpartum period. Objective: To assess the long-term postpartum mental health of
women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy. Methods: Cross-sectional study
in 101 pregnant women who gave birth in a tertiary center during the COVID-19
pandemic, between March 31, 2020, and November 30, 2021. The pregnant women
were classified into 2 groups as COVID-19 positive (study group, n=52) and COVID-19
negative (control group, n=49). Sociodemographic and obstetric data were collected
by questionnaire in the early (≤6 months) and late (6-18 months) postpartum
periods. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) scores
were calculated by analysis of the participants' data. Results: The mean BDI score
and the rate of depression (BDI score >13) in COVID-19 positive patients were higher
in the early postpartum period than in the late postpartum period. According to
multivariate linear regression analysis, there was a significant correlation between
the BDI score of COVID-19 patients and educational level and employment status.
According to the same analysis, there was a significant correlation between the BAI

score of COVID-19 patients and spousal support, marital relationship, and birth-
related diseases. We found that COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative patients

had similar BDI and BAI scores in the early (≤6 months) and late (6-18 months)
postpartum periods. In addition, rates of anxiety and depression were similar in
both groups at the same postpartum periods. Conclusion: In our study, COVID-19
infection in pregnancy had no significant additional impact on long-term postpartum
maternal mental health.