The mother as a patient

The healthcare professional–patient relationship is paramount in providing physical and psychological support to pregnant women. On average, patients attend ten antenatal appointments,¹⁹ and those with more complex pregnancies or severe mental health problems are often required to attend frequently for specialist assessment and intervention in primary and secondary care settings. The World Health Organization champions several central tenets of effective high-quality perinatal care, including respect, person-centeredness and skill, as outlined in their international guidelines.^{Reference Ibrahim B, Kennedy and Combellick20} As UK maternity services, in line with their worldwide counterparts, have had to adapt rapidly during the pandemic, there has been some concern that globally, altered policies and practices aimed at promoting COVID-19 safety may be ‘based on less than robust evidence’, placing clinicians at odds with previous standards of care.^{Reference Reingold, Barbosa and Mishori21} For this reason, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has advocated an increased emphasis on establishing rapport and trusting relationships during pregnancy.²² The underlying precept of such rapidly evolving guidelines focused on the need to strike a balance between caution and compassion in the drive for ‘COVID security’, which involved, for example, the implementation of telemedicine and personal protective equipment (PPE) in clinics to reduce risks from face-to-face interaction.^{Reference Kasaven, Saso, Barcroft, Yazbek, Joash and Stalder23} Albeit essential, the use of PPE in face-to-face meetings or home visits, which partially or fully obscures the face, can contribute to perceived communication barriers through loss of non-verbal cues. Many patients observe their doctors during consultations and respond to their non-verbal cues, including tone of voice, eye contact and posture. Even subtle aspects of non-verbal communication, such as a simple smile from a clinician, can promote feelings of empathy and compassion, which are deemed integral to developing a relationship built on trust between the doctor and patient.^{Reference Beamish, Foster, Edwards and Olbers24} Effective non-verbal communication often influences how approachable a patient perceives their doctor to be, and thus may determine how much information they will volunteer to the clinician.^{Reference Byrne and Heath25} This is particularly significant in the context of women voluntarily disclosing sensitive information, such as domestic abuse, whereby rates have more than doubled in the UK since the start of the initial lockdown, compared with the average rate in the past 10 years.^{Reference Bridle, Walton, van der Vord, Adebayo, Hall and Finlayson8,Reference Roesch, Amin, Gupta and García-Moreno26}

Telemedicine interventions that include the use of video calls to provide an effective method of communication without the use of PPE, has also become a valuable tool for UK-based perinatal clinicians. In the context of perinatal mental health, a study of 79 women concluded that consultations delivered via such methods were deemed acceptable and associated with high patient satisfaction rates.^{Reference Baker-Ericzén, Connelly, Hazen, Dueñas, Landsverk and Horwitz27} In particular, patient groups with limited access to healthcare services placed a higher value on these methods of communication.^{Reference Harley, McLaren, Blackwood, Tierney and Everett28} Evidence specific to perinatal mental health services is somewhat limited. However, findings from other psychiatric specialties also reiterate the high degree of emotional sensitivity in verbal and non-verbal communication that is acquired during telemedicine consultations. With this in mind, telepsychiatry assessments are perceived to be ‘as good, if not better’ than face-to-face contact.^{Reference Wootton, Yellowlees and McLaren29} Furthermore, telemedicine encourages a sense of security and honesty within certain groups, such as patients with schizophrenia.^{Reference Wootton, Yellowlees and McLaren29} This is perhaps because consultations take place within a neutral territory and promote patient self-control, creating an environment where individuals feel less threatened or judged.^{Reference Goodman13} This is particularly important considering that studies assessing women with mood disorders have highlighted that a desire to receive non-judgemental care was deemed important when engaging with mental health services.^{Reference Dolman, Jones and Howard30}

The use of telemedicine also permits the presence of partners or family members during antenatal consultations. During the peak of the pandemic, RCOG guidance advised women to attend face-to-face appointments and ultrasounds alone, to reduce transmission of the virus. It is important to now consider the potential negative consequences this may have had on women with high-risk pregnancies, particularly as lack of partner support is a risk factor for maternal depressive symptoms.^{Reference Kasaven, Saso, Barcroft, Yazbek, Joash and Stalder23,Reference Steen, Downe, Bamford and Edozien31,Reference Ogbo, Eastwood, Hendry, Jalaludin, Agho and Barnett32} Partner support during the antenatal period encourages women to prepare for birth complications, prevents delay in seeking medical advice and treatment, promotes management of realistic expectations and reduces stress from collaborative decision-making.^{Reference Odimegwu, Adewuyi, Odebiyi, Aina, Adesina and Olatubara33} Women with complex pregnancies, who are expected to attend face-to-face appointments, could have been inadvertently coerced into coping with difficult news and information alone.^{Reference Bridle, Walton, van der Vord, Adebayo, Hall and Finlayson8} Evidence also suggests that pre-pandemic, partners were already feeling frustrated and unsupported by their healthcare professionals.^{Reference Steen, Downe, Bamford and Edozien31} Therefore, their exclusion from the majority of antenatal care and inability to adequately support their partner may have potentiated these negative feelings, and further strained relationships during an already stressful time. This is supported by the fact that less secure attachment and dissatisfaction with support from partners is associated with postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress.^{Reference Iles, Slade and Spiby34}

However, telemedicine can also disadvantage certain groups, as it can introduce barriers to providing quality medical, emotional and psychological support.Reference Saunders and Hogg⁷ For example, women from low socioeconomic backgrounds, who are particularly susceptible to maternal depression,^{Reference Ogbo, Eastwood, Hendry, Jalaludin, Agho and Barnett32} may be at increased risk if they are unable to access healthcare resources virtually. Challenges such as consistent internet access, ownership of appropriate devices or finding private spaces could be detrimental to quality care. Furthermore, attendance at hospitals provides a safe space for victims of domestic abuse, where women can speak to a healthcare professional and maintain confidentiality and security. Telemedicine limits the opportunity to attend an area of safety, where access to opportunities to disclose dangerous situations is limited. Furthermore, during telemedicine consultations it is difficult to ascertain whether abusers are present in the same room and listening to the consultation, thus inhibiting the woman from disclosing sensitive information. Considering that barriers to service access for women with perinatal mental illness pre-pandemic, included associated perceived stigma, poor awareness of facilities and language and cultural barriers,^{Reference Smith, Lawrence, Sadler and Easter35} there is also concern that these factors are only exacerbated in the virtual space.

Barriers to establishing effective connections or rapport may also encourage women to avoid healthcare facilities altogether, because of the stigma and risk associated with COVID-19. This is exemplified by the findings of a four-fold increase in stillbirth rate (9.31 per 1000 births v. 2.38 per 1000 births; P = 0.01) from one London hospital during the months of the first imposed lockdown.^{Reference Khalil, Von Dadelszen, Draycott, Ugwumadu, O'Brien and Magee36} Reduced admissions could be attributed to the reluctance of women to attend hospital with episodes of reduced foetal movements, fear of contracting the virus or not wanting to burden the National Health Service (NHS).^{Reference Khalil, Von Dadelszen, Draycott, Ugwumadu, O'Brien and Magee36} A disinclination to seek medical advice may prevent timely diagnoses and treatment, thus increasing frustration in engaging with healthcare services, further exacerbating psychological issues within the perinatal period.

This is important, considering that appropriate access to quality prenatal care is paramount to successful maternal and child healthcare.^{Reference Kozhimannil, Hardeman and Henning-Smith37} It is concerning, therefore, that the ‘Babies in Lockdown’ report found that 43% of the new parents surveyed, ‘were not confident that they could access help with their mental health if required’.Reference Saunders and Hogg⁷ Indeed, another UK-based survey found that ‘almost half of all patients reviewed by a specialist mental health midwife reported their support had stopped because of the pandemic’.^{Reference Bridle, Walton, van der Vord, Adebayo, Hall and Finlayson8}

The intrapartum experience of labour and birth also has a significant impact on perinatal mental health outcomes, as emotional distress during this time is a risk factor for postnatal depression.^{Reference Chojenta, Lucke, Forder and Loxton38} In a recent study, 42.5% of participants reported having to alter their birth plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the uncertainty of which potentiates anxiety for the women affected.^{Reference Thayer, Gildner, Lu, Milner, Craighead and Alston39} This is likely associated with the guidance recommending only one birth partner, as opposed to two being allowed pre-pandemic.^{Reference Bridle, Walton, van der Vord, Adebayo, Hall and Finlayson8} Continuous support during labour improves outcomes for both women and infants, including increased rates of spontaneous vaginal deliveries, reduced rates of operative vaginal deliveries or caesarean section, reduced use of regional analgesia, shortened duration of labour and higher Apgar scores.^{Reference Bohren, Hofmeyr, Sakala, Fukuzawa and Cuthbert40} For this reason, the RCOG advocated the presence of at least a single birth partner during labour. Furthermore, the implementation of infection control measures, including the use of isolation rooms and heavy-duty PPE worn by staff members, may induce feelings of impersonal care, preventing mothers from feeling supported by their healthcare providers.^{Reference Gildner and Thayer41} The psychological impact of such changes, in addition to overall perceived negative experiences or previous frustration with healthcare services during the antenatal period, is likely to exacerbate further alienation and engagement with healthcare services, which could increase the risk of birth-related post-traumatic stress disorder.^{Reference Hermann, Fitelson and Bergink42} Should these feelings extend into the postnatal period, new mothers may not feel empowered to ask for support when needed (e.g. regarding difficulties breastfeeding), causing further undue stress and anxiety.

The mother at home

Extra-familial social support networks are a crucial protective factor of mental health in the perinatal period.^{Reference Negron, Martin, Almog, Balbierz and Howell43} Social isolation, as imposed by lockdowns, is associated with higher levels of stress and causes significant disruption and breakdown of face-to-face interactions, affecting the ability to form and maintain strong and stable relationships.^{Reference Iyengur, Jaiprakash, Haitsuka and Kim5,Reference Torales, O'Higgins, Castaldelli-Maia and Ventriglio44} New mothers were unable to attend mum-and-toddler groups, which often help to facilitate new friendships, combat social isolation, establish a routine during maternity leave and provide informal support and information about the local area. They were also discouraged from visiting or being visited by close family and friends, who may have provided practical and emotional support. As such, there have been fewer opportunities for women to express their worries to supportive friends and family, denying them invaluable coping mechanisms.^{Reference Gross and Levenson45} Consequently, the risk of depression among women has increased, which will continue to adversely affect perinatal mental health experiences as the pandemic continues.^{Reference Ali and Shahil Feroz46,Reference Alipour, Kheirabadi, Kazemi and Fooladi47}

Conversely, there are some notable benefits to lockdowns for new mothers with supportive partners. For those living in an emotionally nurturing environment, reinforcement of positive feedback and consistent appraisal from their partners significantly affects maternal mental health.^{Reference Iles, Slade and Spiby34} In particular, prevention of burnout and sharing of household tasks and childcare protects mothers from feeling overwhelmed.^{Reference Iles, Slade and Spiby34} Women who experience higher levels of relationship conflict in the immediate postpartum period are more likely to experience depressive episodes at 8 weeks’ postpartum.^{Reference Iles, Slade and Spiby34} Furthermore, maternal postpartum depression also increases the risk of paternal depression, resulting in less optimal interactions between the father and child and affecting parent–newborn bonding.^{Reference Goodman13} However, when fathers with depression spend medium to high amounts of time with their newborns or infants, it can reduce the adverse long-term effects of maternal depression.^{Reference Mezulis, Hyde and Clark48} Therefore, consistent presence and support from a partner, potentially increased by lockdowns, can have benefits for maternal mental health and attachment.^{Reference Bridle, Walton, van der Vord, Adebayo, Hall and Finlayson8}

Maternal mental health problems cost the UK an estimated £8.1 billion per annual cohort of births, secondary to the increased psychological and developmental disturbances in children.^{Reference Bauer, Parsonage, Knapp, Lemmi and Adelaja49} The majority of these costs are attributed to the adverse effects on children, manifesting as child and adolescent depression, anxiety, behavioural problems and special educational needs.^{Reference Thayer, Gildner, Lu, Milner, Craighead and Alston39} The psychological turmoil experienced by mothers, such as antenatal depression, is associated with long-term consequences such as impairment of emotional cognition, depression in adolescence, autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.^{Reference Stein, Pearson, Goodman, Rapa, Rahman and McCallum50,Reference Rees51} Furthermore, it affects attachment patterns, which affects the offspring's future relationships and their potential to thrive.^{Reference Stein, Pearson, Goodman, Rapa, Rahman and McCallum50} Developing positive bonding experiences and secure emotional attachments between the mother and newborn is imperative in providing protective factors for the mental health of new mothers. It helps reinforce positive self-perception of maternal capabilities and fortifies self-esteem.^{Reference Leary, Schreindorfer and Haupt52} Evidence from the ‘Babies in Lockdown’ report identified that 34% of parents described a difference in their infants’ interactions and behaviour during this time.^{Reference Saunders and Hogg7} Additionally, 26% of respondents reported increased crying and clinginess from the infant, deemed to be representative of changes to the dynamics of the parent–infant relationship.^{Reference Saunders and Hogg7} Such behaviours have been identified as a direct response to parental stress. This raises the concern of inadequate bonding between mothers and babies during the pandemic, resulting in poorly formed attachments.^{Reference Iyengur, Jaiprakash, Haitsuka and Kim5} In addition, feelings of poor attachment reduce a new mother's self-confidence, as well as affecting their sleep and self-care patterns, which can be detrimental to their overall mental well-being when neglected.

Other interventions

As discussed herein, there are a multitude of psychological consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of the mother as a patient and the mother in their domestic setting, as summarised in Figure 1. The underlying principles of successful prevention of perinatal mental health is to target appropriate determinants of risk, which often involves individualising patient assessment and treatment. Before the pandemic, various psychological interventions, including cognitive–behavioural therapy courses and interpersonal therapy sessions, proved effective in the management of perinatal depression.^{Reference Smith, Lawrence, Sadler and Easter35} The introduction of preconception mental health counselling into clinics, as opposed to a sole focus on lifestyle and nutritional advice, is also associated with improved perinatal mental health outcomes.^{Reference Howard and Khalifeh11} However, many with pre-existing mental health problems have unplanned pregnancies and are therefore not able to access preconception maternity services. For this reason, it is important to have a multidisciplinary approach and liaise closely with our psychiatric colleagues, who should routinely encourage discussions regarding preconception counselling with their patients.^{Reference Catalao, Mann, Wilson and Howard53}

Fig. 1

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on new and expecting mothers.

The RCOG, in addition to other support groups, have provided further information for clinicians and patients to ensure that expectant mothers receive the same quality of care that they could have expected before the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies have shown that resilience, despite having some basis in personality, is dynamic and modifiable, and that individual and environmental input can have a significant effect.^{Reference Van Haeken, Braeken, Nuyts, Franck, Timmermans and Bogaerts54} Evidence also suggests women have been able to gain resilience through the pandemic by outsourcing from various methods, including virtual communication platforms, engaging in self-care behaviours, practising gratitude and adhering to structures and routines.^{Reference Farewell, Jewell, Walls and Leiferman55} Encouraging women and their partners to engage with aspects of positive psychology through newly introduced digital platforms and virtual service provision has the potential to improve access to holistic care and increase well-being.^{Reference Shidhaye, Madhivanan, Shidhaye and Krupp56} With this in mind, within our unit at the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, we understood that access to perinatal services may be challenging during the pandemic, and therefore designed an online course focusing on postnatal recovery inspiration and support for motherhood (PRISM).⁵⁷ This consisted of a 5-week online antenatal course where women could register from 28 weeks’ gestation onward and access entirely online. The course aimed to prepare the woman and their partner for birth, with a focus on strategies for improving mental well-being. So far feedback through this method of delivering healthcare and improving patient education has been positive. Other trusts have engaged to adapt information provision for expectant mothers by collaborating, for example, with the Pan-London Perinatal Mental Health Midwifery Forum.^{Reference Bridle, Walton, van der Vord, Adebayo, Hall and Finlayson8} As yet, there has been no formal assessments of the effects of such programmes on pregnant and postnatal women's mental health.