Expectations of childbirth and anxiety in at term pregnant women during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Spain: A pilot study

ABSTRACT

Objective. Evaluate the expectations of childbirth and anxiety/depression risks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in pregnant women at term.
Materials and Methods. We evaluated the last objectives in a group of 113 gravids of 37 to 41 weeks of gestation with, respectively, the Slade-Pais expectations of Childbirth Scale (SPECS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
Results. The mean SPECS score was 145.5 ± 20.8, and 56.1% of pregnant women had a high level of anxiety and depression (HADS ≥ 11) associated with their subjective perceptions on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mean HADS scores were significantly higher concerning SPECS sub-scales staff and service responsive to needs, fear, out of control and embarrassment, partner’s coping, and positive anticipation of birth. The multiple regression analysis showed that a high total SPECS score was associated with a high HADS score, non-Caucasian ethnicity, and having positive SARS-CoV-2 testing.
Conclusions. Pregnant women at term had high SPECS scores associated with a high prevalence of depression and anxiety during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The identification of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic related factors involved in fear of childbirth or tokophobia may allow designing interventions to reduce the risk of anxiety, depression, and fear of childbirth to improve the delivery experience.