The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) imposed a huge burden on the healthcare system worldwide, together with increased social, psychological and economic stress. The Government of Hong Kong, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, implemented a series of public health policies, including social distancing and mandatory mask-wearing, while the Hospital Authority also implemented restrictive measures, including suspension of visiting hours at all public hospitals [1]. In obstetrics, companionship during childbirth and visitation to mothers and newborn babies were suspended and all antenatal and postnatal classes were cancelled during the period of the Emergency Response Level. These had led to a drop in delivery rates in the public hospitals and a change in intrapartum plans during this period [2].

The unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic has substantial negative psychological effects on the general population as well as pregnant women [3, 4, 5]. Research has shown that pregnant women are especially prone to anxiety and depression [6], and unaddressed mental health disorders may result in adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes [7, 8, 9, 10].

The aims of our study were to (i) assess the anxiety and depression scores of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, and to compare the anxiety and depression scores between pregnant women with or without underlying psychiatric illness (ii) evaluate the impact demographic, economic and social factors on the maternal anxiety and depression scores, and (iii) assess the perception by the pregnant women of the different restrictive policies related to the pandemic (e.g., social distancing, restrictions related to delivery).

This study is part of an ongoing worldwide cross-sectional study. Data was collected through an anonymous web-based survey (www.pregmind.org) made up of closed questions with multiple choice answers. The survey consisted of three parts. The first part included questions related to general demography, pregnancy health history, mental health history (e.g., presence of adjustment disorders, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorders) and socioeconomic factors. The second part assessed perception of fear, burden and restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic via a subjective score ranging from 0 to 100. The last part consisted of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression assessment and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire for anxiety assessment. Details of the study protocol have been previously published [11].

A total of 474 pregnant women responded to the survey website and 361 participants completed both the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires (completion rate of 76.2%). One participant had COVID-19 before pregnancy while one participant had COVID-19 during pregnancy.

Demographic characteristics of the study population are presented in Tables 1,2. Among the 361 participants, 28 had ever suffered or currently suffering from psychiatric illness. Comparing participants with and without a past or current history of psychiatric illness, there were significantly higher proportions of participants with psychiatric illness reporting ‘finding it difficult on present income’ or ‘finding it very difficult on present income’ (21.4% vs. 7.8%; 7.1% vs. 1.8%; p = 0.02). There was otherwise no statistical difference between the two groups in other demographic factors including education level, pre-pregnant and current job status, support from a partner, family and friends, parity, pre-pregnant chronic medical condition and pregnancy-related illness.

Analysis of attitudes towards the pandemic and the related restrictions showed that women with or without psychiatric illness expressed similar sources of fear and burden regarding the pandemic (Table 3). The median declared value of fear regarding restrictions related to childbirth and feeling burdened by restrictions imposed on labour and delivery because of the COVID-19 pandemic (presence of accompanying persons at hospital etc.) for the total population were 74.00 (IQR 61.00–91.00) and 73.00 (IQR 58.00–90.50) respectively and there was not statistical difference between women with or without psychiatric illness. The median declared value of feeling burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic in regard to the provision of childcare was 56.00 (IQR 23.50–73.00) for the total population, but was significantly higher in women with psychiatric illness compared to those without 129 (72.50, IQR 53.50–86.00 vs. 54.00, IQR 23.00–71.00, p = 0.016). A significantly higher proportion of women with psychiatric illness felt being burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic on work-related restrictions (‘I have to work from home’ and ‘I cannot work at all’: 25% vs. 6%, p = 0.007).

The median score reported for PHQ-9 was 5.00 (IQR 3.00–8.00). Participants with psychiatric illness reported a higher median PHQ-9 score although it was not statistically significant (6.50, IQR 3.00–11.00 vs. 5.00, IQR 3.00–8.00, p = 0.066). A higher proportion of participants with psychiatric illness reported moderate to severe depression (35.7% vs. 16.5%, p = 0.002). The median score reported for the GAD-7 score was 3.00 (IQR 0.00–9.00). Compared to participants without psychiatric illness, those with psychiatric illness reported significantly higher median GAD-7 scores (6.00, IQR 3.00–7.75 vs. 2.00, IQR 0.00–6.00, p = 0.001) and a higher proportion of women reporting moderate to severe anxiety (17.8% vs. 3.6%, p $\le$ 0.001) (Table 4).

In the total study population, multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that financial difficulty, in education and pregnancy by in-vitro ertilisation was associated with a higher PHQ- 9 score in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Doing household chores, looking after children or other persons, a higher number of people living in the household and having support from a partner were associated with a lower depression score (Table 5). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that underlying psychiatric illness was associated with a higher GAD-7 score in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, while having support from a partner, no financial stress, and being unemployed but not actively looking for a job were associated with a lower anxiety score (Table 6).

The present study reports on the mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic and their views on the pandemic in Hong Kong. Our study has demonstrated that pregnant women with past or current psychiatric illness are more prone to moderate–severe depression and anxiety. Financial difficulty, in education and pregnancy by in-vitro fertilization was associated with a higher PHQ-9 score in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Doing household chores, looking after children or other persons, a higher number of people living in the household and having support from a partner were associated with a lower depression score. Whereas for anxiety, underlying psychiatric illness was associated with a higher GAD-7 score in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, while having support from a partner, no financial stress and being unemployed but not actively looking for a job were associated with a lower anxiety score.

The first specific aim of the study was to evaluate the degree of depression and anxiety in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that pregnant women are at higher risk for developing mental health problems, such as anxiety and depressive symptomatology, during the pandemic due to emotional stress and partial social support [17, 18]. Specific populations are particularly vulnerable, including women with pre-existing psychiatric conditions [19]. Our study has confirmed that participants with a past or current history of psychiatric illness reported a significantly higher median GAD-7 scores and are more prone to moderate–severe depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemics. This highlights the need to identify vulnerable populations at increased risk of psychological distress and provide regular assessment of mental wellbeing during pregnancy and the peripartum period and to ensure that adequate support is provided [20]. Early detection, intervention and treatment of mental health problems in pregnancy is essential in preventing adverse maternal and fetal outcomes [20]. According to a systemic review, factors most associated with prenatal depression and anxiety include lack of partner or social support, adverse life events and a high level of perceived stress [21]. Our study has also confirmed that partner support is important in lowering depression and anxiety in pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Various measures have been adopted to encourage and facilitate a partner’s involvement throughout pregnancy during this difficult time. With the adjustment and revision of hospital policies, a partner’s participation during antenatal follow-ups and antenatal talks have been resumed. Although a partner’s visit during the inpatient stay is still prohibited, the condition of women are regularly updated to the partners via phone and joint decision making is encouraged in obstetric management.

Our study has also demonstrated that financial difficulty plays a crucial role in mental health conditions in pregnant women. For pregnant women, the greatest potential burden of the imposed restrictions is not being able to leave the house for work or unable to work at all. Financial challenges, fear of loss of employment and reduced salary are important risk factors affecting family stability and a sense of security [22]. In view of the negative economic consequences brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARS) has implemented various Economic Stimulus Measures and an Employment Support Scheme to help individuals through this difficult time [23].

COVID-19 also has a serious negative impact on pregnant women’s expectations and experiences of childbirth. Continuous support from a partner and companionship in labour are important in helping pregnant women cope with this challenging period in life and have been shown to reduce interventions during labour [24]. Participants in our study have reported increasing fear and anxiety because of the restrictive policies related to childbirth (presence of accompanying person/s at hospital etc.) and have been burdened by restrictions imposed on labour and delivery. With the revision and adjustment of service policies, which include resumption of companionship in labour for partners who have been vaccinated with negative SARS-CoV-2 testing, we hope to optimize the support for our pregnant women and improve the overall obstetric outcomes and childbirth experience during this difficult period.

The main strength of this study is that it is a web-based survey in 16 different languages, thus reducing selection bias in terms of language barrier. Answers to the survey are automatically saved when the survey is submitted, thus providing privacy and confidentiality of participants when answering sensitive questions. For this study, we have employed the GAD-7 and PHQ-9, which are two short and validated questionnaires that are easy to be completed by participants online without the guidance of medical personnel. Limitations of the current study include the online nature in collecting data, which could lead to selection bias. Moreover, certain questions in the questionnaire may be sensitive and participants are allowed to skip questions that they do not feel comfortable to answer although they are reassured that the data is kept anonymous and non-identifiable. This has led to a reduced final sample size as only the data of individuals who have completed the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores have been included in the final analysis. Although there has been a time lag between the data collection and the completion of this manuscript due to the collaborative nature of the study, underlying mental health disorder is a well-established risk factor for worsening mental health conditions during pregnancy, while the COVID-19 pandemics have further complicated these issues due to the various restriction policies. Therefore, the results of our study are still applicable for the ongoing pandemic and can serve as a reference for new policy implementation when facing future pandemics.

Our study has shown that pregnant women with underlying psychiatric illness are more vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemics. Adequate support from a partner during pregnancy and childbirth is important in alleviating anxiety and depression. Partner involvement should be encouraged throughout the pregnancy and policies allowing partners to be present during labor should be facilitated. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving, maternal mental health remains an important area that warrants continuous medical attention when facing future pandemics.

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

STKW, DS, AK, LCYP designed the research study. STKW, SLL, CPHC, PNPI, LW, LCYP performed the research. STKW, LCYP analyzed the data. STKW, LCYP wrote the manuscript. All authors contributed to editorial changes in the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Ethics approval was obtained from the Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education Research Ethics Committee in Warsaw, Poland (Ref No. 56/PB/2020), and the Joint Chinese University of Hong Kong – New Territories East Cluster Clinical Research Ethics Committee in Hong Kong (CREC Ref. No. 2020.245). The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, registration number NCT04377412.

Not applicable.

This research received no external funding.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.