Right now is a scary time for all. However, I want to make an argument that it is particularly scary for pregnant women due in the coming months. I also want to make the argument that we may see a spike in women struggling with Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD).
Lets begin by considering the women who are already in the midst of their “desert” of postpartum anxiety or OCD. One of Postpartum OCD’s tell-tell signs is intrusive thoughts. An intrusive thought is exactly what it sounds like. It is a thought that pops into your mind, unwanted. For a pregnant or new mother struggling with a PMAD, these are often thoughts of harming herself or the baby. For more information on intrusive thoughts specifically go here: https://throughthedeserts.wordpress.com/2019/02/13/symptoms-intrusive-thoughts/.
I suspect that during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, mother’s struggling with either PPA or PP-OCD may experience their anxiety increase or experience intrusive thoughts increase and shift to revolve around the COVID-19 sickness. Pregnant women who may have been previously experienced no symptoms of PMADs, may begin to develop Prenatal Anxiety solely due to the coronavirus. Fearful thoughts may arise concerning how contracting the virus may impact their developing baby in the womb, as well as the intrusive thoughts of the baby contracting the virus once they are born.
COVID-19 may increase mother’s risk of developing a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder.
In a webinar developed by the Center for Disease Control, it was encouraged to separate babies from the mother if the mother had tested positively for COVID-19. (You can see the webinar here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2020/callinfo_031220.asp?fbclid=IwAR18gK0YICA4gXp_CiJ_bKASxoH979nn-T0wnRoW5x0gsL8VRoqg6h1zJGY). A major risk factor for developing a Perinatal Mood Disorder is separation from the infant due to the baby being in the NICU. With this in mind, separation of mother from baby due to the coronavirus may increase the mother’s risk of developing a PMAD.
Another factor that must be kept in mind is many pregnant women are developing anxiety about their impending birth. Multiple hospitals are announcing that no support persons, including spouses, will be allowed in the hospital. This leaves the mother to give birth without emotional support. There may be concerns about the lack of personal protective equipment, which are needed to perform C-sections. These factors could result in a traumatic birthing experience, which is also a common risk-factor of developing a PMAD.
Although the focus in health care currently is on COVID-19, PMADs are not to be taken lightly during this time. Mental health workers, please check on your pregnant clients, and those with children under the age of two. OBGYNs, don’t forget about your patients’ mental health—you and the nurses may end up being their only emotional support during birth. Please don’t just administer the EPDS and call it a day. Women, check in on your mom friends. Moms, check on your pregnant daughters. Husbands, talk to your wives! The chance of a pregnant or postpartum woman developing a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder right now — I believe– is just as high, if not higher than COVID-19. We can care for each other’s mental health, even during social distancing. Lets care for each other.
*Although I have had formal training on PMADs, I am not a healthcare professional. Please speak with your doctor if you find yourself having symptoms of a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder*
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