Impact of the COVID-19-pandemic on mental health during peripartum period—a narrative review

Abstract

Background: The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the subsequent measures by the government were associated with a drastic disruption of the lives of nearly everyone. Vulnerable groups were particularly affected, including pregnant women and mothers in the postpartum period. Objective: The aim of the review was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women and mothers in the postpartum period based on stress, anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Furthermore, risk and protective factors that contributed to the development or prevention of postpartum mental illnesses during the pandemic were identified. Methods: A literature search was conducted via PsycArticles, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, and Ovid Medline from April to June 2021. Data on anxiety, depression, stress, and PTSD symptoms, as well as potential risk and protective factors were extracted. Results: A total of 19 relevant studies with 44,709 participants were included. Nearly all studies recorded an increase in anxiety, depression, stress, and PTSD symptoms during the pandemic. Financial, intrafamilial stressors and concern for the child were identified as risk factors for the development of postpartum mental illnesses during the pandemic. Satisfaction with the couple relationship was apparently protective against stress and depression symptoms. Anxiety symptoms were reduced, for example, by increased levels of physical activity as well as perceived social support. Conclusion: Future studies are recommended to further investigate the risk factors for the development of postpartum mental illnesses. In addition, prevention programs for medical personnel as well as aftercare and therapy programs for affected mothers should be developed in order to prevent severe progression.