The postpartum period during the COVID-19 pandemic: Investigating Turkish women's postpartum support and postpartum-specific anxiety
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, vol.50, no.3, pp.261-269, 2022 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 50 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2022
- Doi Number: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0238
- Journal Name: Journal of Perinatal Medicine
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
- Page Numbers: pp.261-269
- Keywords: anxiety, COVID-19, postpartum period, psychosocial health, support
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston.This study aimed to examine how Turkish women were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the postpartum period in terms of postpartum support and anxiety variables. The study was conducted with 130 women who gave birth during the COVID-19 period. Data were collected online using a personal information form, Postpartum Support Scale and Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale. Descriptive statistics were used, with Kruskal-Wallis and regression analysis performed. All postpartum women stated that they were affected negatively by COVID-19. The most common issues described were feeling alone (25.51%), having economic difficulties (15.5%) and experiencing difficulties accessing health services (21.7%). The mean Postpartum Support Scale score was 102.43 ± 27.67, while the mean Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale score was 188.07 ± 96.71. COVID-19 exposure level had a significant effect on postpartum-specific anxiety (p=0.00). The variables of having a problem during pregnancy (p=0.006), having a baby willingly (p=0.007), and partner's educational status significantly predicted the degree of being affected by COVID-19 (p=0.025). The degree to which COVID-19 affected the women was determined by having problems during pregnancy, having a baby willingly, and a highly educated partner. These variables may inform a resource to empower postpartum women during COVID-19. Healthcare systems need to be organised considering pandemic conditions to provide increased postpartum support, evaluate psychological health, deliver healthcare services, and consider pregnancy periods.