@article{3219987,
    title = "Prevalence of postpartum depression and antenatal anxiety symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic: An observational prospective cohort study in Greece",
    author = "Micha, G. and Hyphantis, T. and Staikou, C. and Valsamidis, D. and Arnaoutoglou, E. and Tzimas, P. and Vlahos, N. and Daponte, A. and Grypiotis, I. and Pappa, P. and Evangelaki, E. and Apostolidou, S. and Paschos, V. and Varvarousi, G. and Bareka, M. and Izountouemoi, G.E. and Tsonis, O. and Koullourou, I. and Kalopita, K. and Kotsis, K.",
    journal = "European journal of midwifery",
    year = "2022",
    volume = "6",
    number = "APRIL",
    publisher = "EU EUROPEAN PUBLISHING",
    doi = "10.18332/EJM/146233",
    abstract = "INTRODUCTION A significant proportion of pregnant women and women in the early postpartum period suffer from mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic represents a unique stressor during this period and many studies across the world have shown elevated rates of postpartum depression (PPD). METHODS In this multicenter two-phase observational prospective cohort study, we aim to assess the prevalence of anxiety prior to labor (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), as well as PPD at 6–8 weeks postpartum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). RESULTS Of the 330 women analyzed, 13.2% reported symptoms of depression using EPDS cut-off score ≥13. High antenatal levels of anxiety (24.8% scored ≥10 in GAD-7) were documented. A significant proportion of postpartum women reported a decrease in willingness to attend antenatal education courses (36%) and fewer antenatal visits to their obstetrician (34%) due to pandemic. Higher antenatal anxiety increased the odds of being depressed at 6–8 weeks postpartum (EPDS ≥13). CONCLUSIONS Compared to reported prevalence of PPD from previous studies before the COVID-19 era in Greece, we did not find elevated rates during the first wave of the pandemic. High anxiety levels were observed indicating that there is a need for close monitoring in pregnancy during the pandemic and anxiety screening to identify women who need support in the pandemic era. A well-planned maternity program should be employed by all the associated care providers to maintain the proper antenatal care adjusted to the pandemic strains as well as a follow-up after labor © 2022. Micha G. et al. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)"
}