key: cord-0795883-pjg5oigu
authors: Matvienko-Sikar, Karen; Meedya, Shahla; Ravaldi, Claudia
title: Perinatal Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
date: 2020-05-07
journal: Women Birth
DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.04.006
sha: 3ed4123517fca4cb7f1decf2e773596ba307a3d2
doc_id: 795883
cord_uid: pjg5oigu

nan

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced many aspects of life, including women's pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. Due to physically and immunologically adaptive perinatal changes, it is well known that pregnant women usually have an increased susceptibility to infection. Despite this, the majority of women affected by COVID-19 to date have exhibited mild symptoms and make a good recovery (1) . However, there is no reliable evidence for transmission of COVID-19 from mother to infant during pregnancy (1, 2) . COVID-19 infection does not seem to increase likelihood of need for obstetric intervention at birth, with healthy infants born vaginally to mothers with the infection (3).

Following birth, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends women with COVID-19 initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, and engage in skin to skin contact and kangaroo mother care, while practising respiratory hygiene and hand washing before and after touching the baby, in addition to application of required infection control precautions J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f Support from midwives and other healthcare professionals is also critical to support women's mental health during the pandemic. It is important for those involved in perinatal care to be aware of the increased risk of poor perinatal mental health during this time and of potential resources and strategies as noted above, in addition to use of referral pathways should these be needed. This is particularly true where women are experiencing, or are at increased risk of, perinatal distress, and/or have COVID-19 infection. For example, where women are required to temporarily separate from infants following birth, the increased psychosocial support, in addition to increased breastfeeding support is needed (4, 8) . We also acknowledge however the increased stress and challenges experienced by healthcare professionals globally and their need for supports also, while supporting women during this time.

Globally, we are currently experiencing unprecedented challenges that can significantly impact on women's mental health. Awareness of, and engagement with supports for perinatal mental health difficulties will better support and protect perinatal mental health and well-being during this time. 

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