By Dr. Jennifer C. Ablow and Dr. Elinor Sullivan, University of Oregon — The Conversation US — 23 September 2020
COVID-19 has drastically changed the hospital experience for pregnant women and new mothers. The CDC has identified pregnant women as a vulnerable population — if infected, they are more likely to be hospitalised and require ventilation, and their risk of preterm birth goes up. An initial review of data from over 500 Oregon women reveals they are significantly stressed, with approximately 75% saying the pandemic is having an extreme impact on their daily life from social isolation, changes in hospital procedures, and a lack of social support due to quarantine requirements.
Chronic stress in pregnant women has been linked to complications like gestational diabetes, impaired fetal development, low birth weight, and preeclampsia. The good news: prenatal stress during the pandemic can be reduced through a robust social support network, online group prenatal care, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, healthy diet, adequate sleep, and exercise.