Pregnant women voice their concerns and birth expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

Ravaldi, C; Wilson, A; Ricca, V; Homer, C; Vannacci, A

Pregnant women voice their concerns and birth expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.

Ravaldi, C Wilson, A Ricca, V Homer, C

Vannacci, A

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and Birth, 2021, 34, (4), pp. 335-343
Issue Date:: 2021-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ravaldi, C
dc.contributor.author	Wilson, A
dc.contributor.author	Ricca, V
dc.contributor.author	Homer, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011
dc.contributor.author	Vannacci, A
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-14T05:26:20Z
dc.date.available	2020-07-07
dc.date.available	2021-12-14T05:26:20Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Women and Birth, 2021, 34, (4), pp. 335-343
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152318
dc.description.abstract	Background In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared to be a pandemic. While data suggests that COVID-19 is not associated with significant adverse health outcomes for pregnant women and newborns, the psychological impact on pregnant women is likely to be high. Aim The aim was to explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian pregnant women, especially regarding concerns and birth expectations. Methods A cross-sectional online survey of pregnant women in Italy was conducted. Responses were analysed for all women and segregated into two groups depending on previous experience of pregnancy loss. Analysis of open text responses examined expectations and concerns before and after the onset of the pandemic. Findings Two hundred pregnant women responded to the first wave of the survey. Most (n = 157, 78.5%) had other children and 100 (50.0%) had a previous history of perinatal loss. ‘Joy’ was the most prevalent emotion expressed before COVID-19 (126, 63.0% before vs 34, 17.0% after; p < 0.05); fear was the most prevalent after (15, 7.5% before vs 98, 49.0% after; p < 0.05). Positive constructs were prevalent before COVID-19, while negative ones were dominant after (p < 0.05). Across the country, women were concerned about COVID-19 and a history of psychological disorders was significantly associated with higher concerns (p < 0.05). A previous pregnancy loss did not influence women’s concerns. Conclusions Women’s expectations and concerns regarding childbirth changed significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Women with a history of psychological disorders need particular attention as they seem to experience higher levels of concern.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and Birth
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2020.07.002
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Stress, Psychological
dc.subject.mesh	Anxiety
dc.subject.mesh	Fear
dc.subject.mesh	Motivation
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Health
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Disorders
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Parturition
dc.subject.mesh	Internet
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnant Women
dc.subject.mesh	Italy
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Anxiety
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Child
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Fear
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn
dc.subject.mesh	Internet
dc.subject.mesh	Italy
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Disorders
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Health
dc.subject.mesh	Motivation
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.subject.mesh	Parturition
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnant Women
dc.subject.mesh	SARS-CoV-2
dc.subject.mesh	Stress, Psychological
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires
dc.title	Pregnant women voice their concerns and birth expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	34
utslib.location.activity	Netherlands
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2021-12-14T05:26:16Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	34
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Background In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared to be a pandemic. While data suggests that COVID-19 is not associated with significant adverse health outcomes for pregnant women and newborns, the psychological impact on pregnant women is likely to be high. Aim The aim was to explore the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Italian pregnant women, especially regarding concerns and birth expectations. Methods A cross-sectional online survey of pregnant women in Italy was conducted. Responses were analysed for all women and segregated into two groups depending on previous experience of pregnancy loss. Analysis of open text responses examined expectations and concerns before and after the onset of the pandemic. Findings Two hundred pregnant women responded to the first wave of the survey. Most (n = 157, 78.5%) had other children and 100 (50.0%) had a previous history of perinatal loss. ‘Joy’ was the most prevalent emotion expressed before COVID-19 (126, 63.0% before vs 34, 17.0% after; p < 0.05); fear was the most prevalent after (15, 7.5% before vs 98, 49.0% after; p < 0.05). Positive constructs were prevalent before COVID-19, while negative ones were dominant after (p < 0.05). Across the country, women were concerned about COVID-19 and a history of psychological disorders was significantly associated with higher concerns (p < 0.05). A previous pregnancy loss did not influence women’s concerns. Conclusions Women’s expectations and concerns regarding childbirth changed significantly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. Women with a history of psychological disorders need particular attention as they seem to experience higher levels of concern.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152318