The first cases of acute respiratory disease attributed to the novel SARS-CoV were noted in Wuhan, China, December 2019 (Yuki et al., 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, leading to social distancing and shelter in place (SIP) mandates (WHO, 2020). In March and April 2020, 42 of 50 states in the United States initiated SIP stay at home orders (Kaiser Family Foundation, KFF, 2020a). As of December 9, 2020, six states (Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming) remain without SIP mandates in place (Kaiser Family Foundation, KFF, 2020b). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised everyone, including pregnant and postpartum women, to stay home or at least six feet away from people living outside the home to decrease risk of contracting COVID-19 (CDC, 2020a). Sheltering in place and social distancing limit physical and perceived social support for women during pregnancy and postpartum which may place them at an increased risk of developing anxiety and mood disorders (Lebel et al., 2020).

Figure. No caption available.

Along with fear of COVID-19 exposure, recent unprecedented economic downturn, and high unemployment rates have increased financial and housing concerns (Nicola et al., 2020). Financial insecurity, caregiving burden, confinement-related stress, and change in routine associated with COVID-19, all have a potential effect on wellbeing of children and families (Prime et al., 2020).

Pregnant women are more vulnerable to pulmonary infections due to physical changes in the respiratory system and maternal immune suppression that occurs to support fetal wellbeing (Allotey et al., 2020; Ellington et al., 2020). Although there are mixed findings on their susceptibility to the virus (Rajewska et al., 2020), pregnant women are generally considered a high-risk group, which adds to apprehension and concern of developing COVID-19 (Allotey, et al.; Ellington et al.; Taubman-Ben-Ari et al., 2020). During pregnancy, risk factors for severe COVID-19 include increasing maternal age, high body mass index, and preexisting comorbidities (Allotey et al.). Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at greater risk for preterm birth and admission of their baby to the neonatal intensive care unit (Allotey et al.). Because information about coronavirus disease is limited and constantly changing, many people may be fearful (Allotey et al.; Fitzpatrick et al., 2020). There is limited evidence on in utero transmission of COVID-19 (Rasmussen et al., 2020). Pregnant and postpartum women are often fearful for their health and the health of their unborn fetus which along with the fear and stressors of COVID-19 may further increase susceptibility to perinatal anxiety and mood disorders (PAMD; Durankus & Aksu, 2020; Lebel et al., 2020).

COVID-19 and Change in Health Care Delivery

Shelter in place mandates to reduce risk of exposure and developing COVID-19 created a forced and sudden shift from face-to-face in-person visits to telehealth for many pregnant and postpartum women. Patient-facing telehealth is described as synchronous, asynchronous, or remote (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists [ACOG], 2020). In synchronous telehealth, patients and providers meet for a scheduled appointment by phone or video conferencing platforms. Asynchronous health care delivery is communicated by email or short message service (SMS) messaging. Remote health care platforms monitor patient outcomes using wearable or handheld devices that record patient health data, for example fetal monitoring, that is uploaded for provider viewing at a later time. Although research suggests high patient satisfaction with telehealth in general (Polinski et al., 2016), advantages and disadvantages exist for pregnant and postpartum health care. A recent review of 47 studies revealed synchronous telehealth improved obstetric and gynecological outcomes, but maternal depression outcomes were not included (DeNicola et al., 2020).

Telehealth during the current COVID-19 pandemic is essential to limit COVID-19 exposure (Bokolo, 2020; Madden et al., 2020). Limiting COVID-19 exposure for pregnant and postpartum women while ensuring continued health care access is important for all patients, especially for those with increased childcare responsibilities and juggling homeschooling and working from home (Aziz et al., 2020; Madden et al.). Telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic may not be an ideal health care delivery platform for all women. A recent study cited difficulty in setting up software, accessing continuous Wi-Fi or data for the visit, hesitation or anxiety in using telehealth, and the need for home monitoring devices such as fetal heart Dopplers and blood pressure cuffs as barriers to telehealth for pregnant (Madden et al.). Barriers identified with phone appointments include the inability of health care provider and patients alike to see body language and facial expressions, which are an essential and integral part of the visit (ACOG, 2020). Phone visits do not allow health care providers to see subtle cues of inadequate self-care such as body odor, poor grooming, or clothing disorganization (ACOG, 2020).

COVID-19 and Risks for Maternal Anxiety and Depression

Shelter in place mandates due to COVID-19 have resulted in unprecedented unemployment rates (Pew Research Center, 2020a), leading to financial and emotional strain, both of which are associated with increased risk of developing PAMD (Banker & LaCoursiere, 2014; Salm Ward et al., 2017; Stone et al., 2015). Stressful life events including relationship, emotional, and financial stress are all associated with risk for developing postpartum depression symptoms (Qobadi et al., 2016). Unemployment and financial loss have affected women and immigrants the most (Pew Research Center, 2020b), which is concerning, as these groups are at increased risk of developing PAMD (Wisner et al., 2013). Poor social support and social isolation are well-documented risks for developing PAMD in general times without the threat of a pandemic (Milgrom et al., 2019; Vaezi et al., 2019). Shelter in place mandates have significantly reduced opportunities for in-person social interaction with health care providers, family, and friends with several studies noting increased anxiety and depressive symptoms due to social isolation and poor social support among pregnant and postpartum women during the pandemic (Berthelot et al., 2020; Farewell et al., 2020; Jago et al., 2020; Lebel et al., 2020; Zanardo et al., 2020).

Pregnancy is generally a time of joy for women with many traditional rites of passage and social bonding opportunities enjoyed with family and friends including baby showers, baby sprinkles, gender reveal parties, prenatal classes, and hospital tours. Birth and hospital stays include social bonding opportunities which have been severely restricted in an effort to protect patients and the health care team. Many hospitals have restricted the number of support persons during labor, birth, and postpartum with the CDC (2020b) recommending only allowing visitors who are essential to the woman's wellbeing and care (CDC, 2020b).

The postpartum period is a time where family and friends visit the newborn's home and provide support to the family, especially the new mother. Women have identified four types of support desired after childbirth: need of information, need of psychological support, need to share experience, and need of practical and material support (Slomian et al., 2019). Supporting the new family during the postpartum period often includes providing meals and, in some cultures, extended help at home is a common practice to allow the postpartum woman time to recover and rest for 30 days (Goyal, 2016; Ta Park et al., 2017).

Worldwide and nationwide travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have largely prevented family members from traveling to provide much needed postpartum social support leaving many women feeling isolated and alone, potentially contributing to risk of developing PAMD (Kim et al., 2014). Shelter in place guidelines are in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which is critical for the new postpartum woman and newborn. However, isolation and decreased social support increase the risk of developing PAMD, specifically, postpartum depression (PPD; Kim et al.; Slomian et al., 2019).

Implications for Clinical Practice

Risk of COVID-19 exposure continues nationwide, with many states reporting new cases several months after the initiation of SIP (CDC, 2020c). Given relationship and financial stressors associated with COVID-19 place women at increased risk of PPD (Banker & LaCoursiere, 2014; Salm Ward et al., 2017; Stone et al., 2015), it is important for nurses working with childbearing women to identify any stressors during prenatal care and provide resources to manage and/or reduce their impact.

Limited research findings suggest it is possible pregnant women may transmit the virus to their fetus (Ellington et al., 2020). The added risk of COVID-19 exposure requires further social isolation for pregnant women which may increase depressive symptoms and increase the need for telehealth for all except the most necessary in-person visits. With telehealth here to stay and even expand, there are several implications for clinical practice.

Nurses working with childbearing women should follow CDC (2020a, 2020b, 2020d, 2020e) guidelines when educating women during pregnancy and postpartum on best practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection (Table 1). Nurses should be aware of immediate and long-term emotional loss, economic hardship, increased grief, fear, and unresolved grief associated with women living through disasters such as COVID-19 (Giarratano et al., 2019) and not underestimate importance of emotional support during pregnancy and childbirth (Jago et al., 2020). Encouraging women to limit engagement in disturbing social media and television programs, opt out of social media or other groups where there are too many distressing messages, and suggesting their friends and family to not send negative messages may all help decrease the fear, uncertainty, and worry associated with COVID-19.

TABLE 1. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANT, POSTPARTUM, LACTATING WOMEN, AND NEONATES FOR PREVENTION OF COVID-19 INFECTION

Nurses should provide a list of vetted local and virtual resources for women to obtain psychological support, share experiences, and obtain practical and material support (Slomian et al., 2019). Creating a COVID-19 taskforce to develop a nonurgent care stratification approach including integration of additional PAMD screening, identifying and prioritizing in-person visits for women without telehealth access, or for women with conditions warranting closer monitoring will provide much needed changes in service. Pregnant women living in postdisaster communities have stressful lives years after the event, needing innovative models of care to build resilience.

Providers in outpatient clinics should consider addition of synchronous group prenatal telehealth care visits that can help create a sense of community (ACOG, 2018). Other prenatal classes such as prenatal yoga, parenting, and birth classes should be offered synchronously online to create online communities and foster connections with other women going through similar experiences while maintaining SIP and social distancing mandates. With more medical appointments and education classes moving online, it is also important to follow best practices to minimize digital platform fatigue and eye strain (Helander et al., 2020). Nurses at hospitals, birthing centers, and outpatient clinics should consider scheduling open "telehealth office hours," where women can call in or join virtually to ask questions without scheduling a formal appointment. Nurses can acknowledge loss of in-person contact and encourage interaction with family and friends through phone and video calls to limit isolation.

Increased risk of PAMD due to COVID-19 calls for nationwide policies to be developed to address prenatal and postpartum care needs and economic support resources in an effort to promote maternal-child wellbeing outcomes. Providing financial support for childbearing families strengthens these families and provides resources for housing, food, and medical care ultimately improving health and wellbeing outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICE

* Nurses should recognize the potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health risk and how to identify women at risk.

* Nurses caring for childbearing women must assess for stressful life events during prenatal care and provide resources to manage and reduce their impact.

* Nurses at hospitals, birthing centers, and outpatient clinics should consider holding "telehealth office hours," where women can drop in to ask questions without scheduling a formal appointment.

* Nurses caring for pregnant women during times of crisis should be attentive to the increased stress.

* Nurses should be aware of and use most up-to-date CDC guidelines to educate women about best practices to avoid COVID-19 exposure and infection.

* Synchronous group prenatal telehealth care visits may help create a sense of community for women during these unprecedented times.

INSTRUCTIONS Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Mental Health

TEST INSTRUCTIONS

* Read the article. The test for this nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) activity is to be taken online at http://www.nursingcenter.com/CE/MCN. Tests can no longer be mailed or faxed.

* You'll need to create an account (it's free!) and log in to access My Planner before taking online tests. Your planner will keep track of all your Lippincott Professional Development online NCPD activities for you.

* There's only one correct answer for each question. A passing score for this test is 7 correct answers. If you pass, you can print your certificate of earned contact hours and access the answer key. If you fail, you have the option of taking the test again at no additional cost.

* For questions, contact Lippincott Professional Development: 1-800-787-8985.

* Registration deadline is March 3, 2023.

PROVIDER ACCREDITATION

Lippincott Professional Development will award 2.0 contact hours for this nursing continuing professional development activity.

Lippincott Professional Development is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This activity is also provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 11749 for 2.0 contact hours. Lippincott Professional Development is also an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the District of Columbia, Georgia, and Florida, CE Broker #50-1223. Your certificate is valid in all states.

Payment: The registration fee for this test is $21.95.

References