Postpartum Mental Health After COVID-19
Author Information
Author(s): Hsieh Chia-Jung, Su Hsiu-Wei, Lee Chen-Yu, Lin Chih-Chien, Chen Wei-Chih
Primary Institution: Taichung Veterans General Hospital
Hypothesis
This study aimed to investigate the psychological burdens among postpartum women who had experienced COVID-19 infection during their pregnancies and those who had not.
Conclusion
COVID-19 infection during pregnancy was associated with fewer postpartum depressive symptoms, while no significant difference was observed in postpartum anxiety symptoms.
Supporting Evidence
- Women infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy had similar but slightly lower scores on both the EPDS and GAD-7.
- Delivery by expected mode was associated with lower EPDS and GAD-7 scores.
- Women whose neonates did not require admission to the ICN or NICU had significantly lower EPDS scores.
Takeaway
Women who had COVID-19 while pregnant felt less sad after having their babies compared to those who didn't have COVID-19.
Methodology
This cross-sectional study involved 113 postpartum women who completed self-reported questionnaires at Taichung Veterans General Hospital.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias and recall bias due to the cross-sectional design.
Limitations
The study was conducted at a single center, which may lead to sampling bias, and it relied on self-reported questionnaires without rigorous psychiatric evaluation.
Participant Demographics
Participants included postpartum women from Taichung Veterans General Hospital, with 54 experiencing COVID-19 during pregnancy.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.048
Confidence Interval
95% CI (−3.19, −0.01)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website