key: cord-0827326-td1a3egw authors: Milne, Sarah J.; Corbett, Gillian A.; Hehir, Mark P.; Lindow, Stephen W.; Mohan, Suruchi; Reagu, Shuja; Farrell, Thomas; O’Connell, Michael P title: EFFECTS OF ISOLATION ON MOOD AND RELATIONSHIPS IN PREGNANT WOMEN DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC date: 2020-06-08 journal: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.06.009 sha: 88fd99c94a4866867fb821bb5de8de5dbf1b8cfd doc_id: 827326 cord_uid: td1a3egw nan in pregnancy 3 . We sought to assess the effects of lockdown on relationships and maternal mood. We carried out a prospective study involving pregnant women attending for antenatal care in The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, a tertiary level maternity centre in Dublin. Women in their second and third trimesters completed a questionnaire in the out-patient setting which was based on maternal mood during the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to details of relationships between partners, family and friends during this time. From 6 th April to the 28 th April 2020, 70 women completed the questionnaire (Table 1) . This represented the latter period of "total lockdown" in Ireland with restrictions including an exercise limit of two kilometres from home and all other journeys outside to be made only for provision of essential services or to purchase essential goods. Most women (67/70; 95.7%) reported the relationship with their partner had not deteriorated over this time with 4.3% (3/70) reporting a deterioration. Of this group, one woman thought of seeking help in the form of police action (33%;1/3). Of those whose relationships had not deteriorated, 34% (23/67) have grown closer to their partners, with 21% (14/67) exercising together, and 28% (19/67) undertaking shared tasks at home. 34% (24/70) of women reported improving relationships with family and friends by communicating with them more frequently. However, 11% (8/70) stated that there were tensions between family members/children who were also in isolation in the same household. When questioned on mood, 44% (31/70) reported low mood due to loneliness as they missed contact with friends and family. Anxiety was reported due to financial pressure due to being J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f unable to work in 14% (10/70). Positively, over one third of women (34%; 24/70) said they were enjoying the lockdown and isolation as it was relaxing and a break from life's fast pace. The arrival of the COVID-19 global pandemic posed many challenges for public health, one of these being disease containment. In Ireland, the government responded by imposing a lockdown. These measures, however, have impacted the mental health of pregnant women and their relationships with their partners, family members and friends. Meta-analyses identified a significant association between social isolation and loneliness with increased morbidity and poor mental health outcomes 4 . Stress, loss of income and social isolation can exacerbate the risk of violence in the home 5 This study provides insight into the effects of social isolation on the relationships of our obstetric cohort and its effect on their mental health. The lockdown has had both a positive and negative effect on women's mental health. The psychological implications of this cannot be ignored and management strategies to improve mental health should be considered by policy makers when implementing a lockdown. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Health anxiety and behavioural changes of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID-19 on domestic violence The prevalence of domestic violence in pregnant women An overview of systematic reviews on the public health consequences of social isolation and loneliness WHO Violence Against Women During