Trend of psychological symptoms from pregnancy to postpartum: a prospective study during COVID-19 pandemic

Psychological symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period require special attention, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to evaluate the trajectory of psychiatric symptoms from pregnancy to the postpartum period during the COVID-19 pandemic. This prospective study was conducted at Babol University of Medical Sciences from February 2020 to September 2021. A total of 252 pregnant women completed the Symptom Checklist 25 (SCL-25), the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale at both prenatal and postpartum time points. Results indicated that the mean total score of psychological symptoms decreased modestly from pregnancy to postpartum (39.61 +/- 11.67 vs. 32.78 +/- 12.15, p < 0.001). Additionally, symptoms of somatization, depression, anxiety, and phobia significantly declined from pregnancy to postpartum (p < 0.05). However, levels of depression, anxiety, and phobia remained significantly higher among women with a positive history of COVID-19 infection compared to those without, during both pregnancy and postpartum. While the overall mean score of psychological symptoms showed a slight reduction from pregnancy to postpartum, many symptoms persisted, particularly in individuals with a COVID-19 infection history or post-traumatic stress symptoms. The study recommends that healthcare providers, including obstetricians, nurses, and midwives, implement timely screening and treatment for psychological symptoms from pregnancy through postpartum.