The use of personal protective equipment as an independent factor for developing depressive and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the postpartum period.

ABSTRACT:

Background

New recommendations regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during delivery have changed the maternal birth experience. In this study, we investigated the mental perceived impact of PPE use during delivery on the development of maternal postpartum depression (PPD) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).

Methods

This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study concerning women who delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic first lockdown period in Israel. Postpartum women were approached and asked to complete a comprehensive online questionnaire. Impact of PPE was graded on a scale of 1-5, and Impact of PPE ≥4 was considered high. PPD and PTSS were assessed using the EPDS and City BiTS questionnaires.

Results

Of 421 parturients, 36 (9%) rep

SUBMITTER: Gluska H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8260566 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature