A Systematic Review of Anxiety during Pregnancy in the Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Pregnant women experience significant anxiety and stress, even under normal conditions, and anxiety is the most common psychological disorder during pregnancy. As different mental aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic breakout and its psychological consequences at the individual and social levels are neglected, the present study presents a systematic review of pregnant women's anxiety level during the event. Methods: The present study was conducted in the time range of 01/09/2019-01/06/2020. The study involved searching the MEDLINE in PubMed, SCOPUS, PubPsych, and google scholar databases. Two researchers independently searched the databases and screened the data, and evaluated their quality. After final screening and eliminating the duplicate and irrelevant items, twelve cross-sectional articles were finally included in the study. Results: The participants were divided into two groups of COVID-19 positive and negative patients. The available information and guides in parallel to reassurance through social media, healthcare professionals, and primary care were the reasons that led to low anxiety scores. The second group's higher anxiety score referred to concerns about the transfer of the disease, house quarantine, inadequate pregnancy care, first delivery, age, low weight during pregnancy, low income, living space, and public use places and transportation. Conclusion: Increasing mothers' awareness about Coronavirus transmission, risk factors and providing online advice on prenatal care via mobile phones and the internet can reduce their anxiety and stress. It is also suggested that the medical team reassure mothers, provide the child delivery services, and the subsequent care services in the houses wherever these services are required.