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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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COVID-19 and pandemic perinatal mental health in Australia

Christopher Polchleb1, Lydia Sung2

  • 1MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, West Gippsland Healthcare Group, Vic.

Australian Journal of General Practice
|May 14, 2021
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 altered perinatal care schedules, potentially reducing mental health screening and treatment for expectant and new mothers. This impacts timely detection and intervention for maternal mental illness.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal healthcare
  • Maternal mental health
  • Public health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated significant modifications to standard healthcare delivery.
  • Perinatal care pathways, including antenatal and postnatal services, were substantially altered.
  • These changes may have inadvertently affected the continuity and accessibility of mental health support for mothers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of COVID-19-related changes in perinatal healthcare services.
  • To assess the potential consequences for the screening, detection, and treatment of mental illness in the perinatal period.
  • To highlight potential risks to maternal mental well-being due to service disruptions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of changes in antenatal and postnatal care schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Analysis of potential impacts on mental health service provision within altered perinatal care models.
  • Literature review on the importance of timely mental health screening and treatment in the perinatal period.

Main Results:

  • Altered antenatal and postnatal schedules were implemented in response to the pandemic.
  • These schedule modifications may lead to reduced opportunities for mental health screening.
  • The detection and treatment of perinatal mental illness may be compromised by these service changes.

Conclusions:

  • Disruptions to perinatal healthcare services during COVID-19 pose a risk to maternal mental health.
  • Reduced screening and delayed treatment can exacerbate mental health conditions in mothers.
  • Urgent strategies are needed to ensure comprehensive mental health support within evolving perinatal care frameworks.

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