Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related social restrictions, personal and social consequences on the level of psychological distress in pregnant women

Introduction. Studies dedicated to psycho-emotional condition of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic early period revealed an increase in levels of anxiety and depression, as well as emergence of specific fears associated with possible infection during pregnancy and potential impact of coronavirus infection on fetal health and birth outcome. Aims. To assess and compare impact of social restrictions, as well as personal and social consequences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, on levels of psychological distress in pregnant women. Materials and methods. The study involved 204 women in late gestation admitted to the Dzerzhinsky Perinatal Center between December 2020 and February 2021. Clinical psychologists conducted an anonymous survey using a specially developed questionnaire to assess the impact of COVID-related social restrictions, personal and social consequences and then measure the level of psychological distress using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Results. Based on retrospective data, moderate, high and very high levels of distress were observed in 25% of women one month before the survey and in 29% during the most severe period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Significantly more often increased levels of psychological distress was found among women whose friends or relatives suffered from severe COVID-19, who lost their friends or relatives or had more frequent family conflicts. Conclusion. The data obtained demonstrated the correlation between the level of psychological distress and severe course of COVID-19; the loss of friends or relatives; increased family conflict, income decrease or a rapid change of usual lifestyle during the pandemic, which emphasized the importance of a personalized approach to the assessment of the psychological status of pregnant women and the identification of factors that could negatively affect the course and outcome of pregnancy.