Pregnant women had higher symptoms of depression, anxiety during COVID-19 lockdown: Study

Pregnant women had higher symptoms of depression and anxiety during the lockdown in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, according to the findings of a new study.

Published in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, the study also revealed that women with higher body mass index and lower social support were most affected.

A total of 204 women accepted to participate in the study, which involved completing questionnaires related to depression, anxiety, and social support.

The study's results "highlight the need to improve mental health care during pregnancy, especially in exceptional circumstances such as the global pandemic situation or lockdown, as these can cause added stress and increased anxiety and depression symptoms, resulting in undesirable consequences on pregnancy in the future newborn," the authors wrote.

( With inputs from ANI )