Investigating The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Maternal Perceived Stress, Postpartum Depressive Symptoms, And Pregnancy Outcomes In London, Ontario: A One Health Approach

The 2019 novel-coronavirus (COVID-19) may have increased feelings of stress and worry in pregnant women. This study investigated the impact of the pandemic on perceived stress and postpartum depressive symptoms, with potential implications for pregnancy outcomes. Women (n=44) who recently gave birth completed questionnaires at 6 weeks postpartum that assessed stress, social support, depressive symptoms, and COVID-19 impact. In summary, 31.8% of participants had high levels of perceived stress, 36.4% had possible postpartum depression, and perceived social support was significantly negatively associated with depressive symptoms. No significant associations were observed between different biological and socio-environmental factors and perceived stress or depressive symptoms. Lastly, this cohort’s prevalence of stress and depressive symptoms were higher than that observed in the 2007 Maternity Experiences Survey (MES)-Ontario cohort. In conclusion, pregnant women reported increased feelings of stress and depressive symptoms during the pandemic, and those with higher social support experienced less depressive symptoms