Impact of COVID-19 on Maternal Mental Health

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to several states mandating social distancing and sheltering in place along with a shift in health care delivery, unprecedented unemployment rates, financial stress, and emotional concerns. For pregnant and postpartum women, limited social support and social isolation with social distancing and fear of COVID-19 exposure or infection for themselves, their fetus, or their newborn infants, have implications for maternal mental health. An overview of the potential impact of COVID-19 on mental health risk for pregnant and postpartum women is presented with implications for nursing practice to promote maternal–infant wellbeing.

In Brief

The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to have a negative affect on maternal mental health. Social isolation and lack of expected family support during preganancy and postpostum are possible factors. The authors present an overview of what is known and what nurses can do to help pregnant women during the pandemic.