COVID19: Effects on Mental Health among Pregnant Woman in Selected Barangays in

Tanza, Cavite

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a recent emerging infectious disease that
has caused significant morbidity and severe threat to public health across the globe. On 31
December 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan City,
China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the cause by Chinese authorities on 7 January 2020
and was temporarily named “2019-nCoV”. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses
that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. A novel coronavirus
(nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The new virus was
subsequently named the “COVID-19 virus”. On 30 January 2020, Dr Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health
emergency of international concern (PHEIC), WHO's highest level of alarm. At that time there
were 98 cases and no deaths in 18 countries outside China. By mid-March 2020, the WHO
European Region had become the epicenter of the epidemic, reporting over 40% of globally
confirmed cases. As of 28 April 2020, 63% of global mortality from the virus was from the
Region. Since the first cases were reported, WHO has worked around the clock to support
countries to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the words of Dr Hans Henri P.
Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, “Through transparent knowledge-sharing, tailored
support on the ground, and steadfast solidarity, we will beat COVID-19.” (WHO, 2021)

Serious preventive and precautionary strategies were implemented in response to the

alarming spread of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and these
included border closures, suspension of flights, complete and partial lockdowns, quarantine,
physical distancing, and strict hygiene measures.( Benford et.al, 2020). Despite the global efforts
there are

problems arises.
The economic crisis brought by the pandemic could have long-term negative consequences
leading to increased family conflict, abuse, suicidality and substance abuse. Access to mental
health services is needed to cope with the increased demand in times of economic recession
(Haw et.al, 2015)

Depression and anxiety affect one in seven women during the perinatal period, and are
associated with increased risk of preterm delivery, reduced mother-infant bonding, and delays in
cognitive/emotional development of the infant, which may persist into childhood. (ACOG
Committee, 2018).In addition, pregnancy may be associated with psychological distress (such as
anxiety), related but not limited to placental hormones, which are considered stress triggers
(Ramos et.al, 2019). As pregnancy progresses, these hormone levels increase exponentially,
which may explain trimester-dependent changes in the mental well-being of pregnant women.
(Coussons-Read, M et al, 2003).Due to the weakened immune system, pregnant women are
classified among the most vulnerable group to contract communicable diseases, such as COVID-
19. Data on severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome in
pregnancy are sparse. For severe acute respiratory syndrome, the largest series of 12 pregnancies
had a case-fatality rate of 25%. Complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome in 4,
disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in 3, renal failure in 3, secondary bacterial pneumonia
in 2, and sepsis in 2 patients. Mechanical ventilation was 3 times more likely among pregnant
compared with nonpregnant women. Among 7 first-trimester infections, 4 ended in spontaneous
abortion. Four of 5 women with severe acute respiratory syndrome after 24 weeks’ gestation
delivered preterm. (Rasmussen et.al, 2019).

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted family planning and maternal and newborn
health services globally, and in the Philippines to these indirect effects may significantly increase
the annual maternal deaths and unintended pregnancies for 2020 compared with the pre-COVID
years, a study by the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and the United
Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed. The UPPI study that Prof. Marquez led, examined
the effects of the COVID-19 on Filipino women's and girls' sexual and reproductive health, and
freedom from violence. The preliminary results indicate that the pre-existing underlying
vulnerabilities of women and girls are worsening because of the indirect effects of the pandemic.
(UNFPA, 2020).

In this light, the researcher decided to conduct the study to explore the impact of the
pandemic on mental health and lifestyle adaptations to pregnant woman because mental health is
important definitely now a days and as we can see pregnant woman are vulnerable with the
disease.

CITATION:

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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pregnancy: What obstetricians need to know.
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feared because of COVID-19, UNFPA and UPPI study shows - Philippines. ReliefWeb.
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