Pregnancy Complications Spiked During Pandemic’s Early Months

Pregnancy Complications Spiked During Early Months of Pandemic: Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on maternal health, with women experiencing a range of serious health issues during their pregnancies. A new study reveals that the pandemic caused more women to suffer from complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and gestational weight gain.

Maternal Mortality Rate on the Rise

The pandemic has led to a significant increase in the maternal mortality rate in the United States. Between 2019 and 2021, the maternal mortality rate jumped from around 20 deaths per 100,000 live births to nearly 33 per 100,000 live births. This alarming rise in maternal mortality is attributed to the pandemic and its impact on maternal health.

Study Reveals Links Between Pandemic and Maternal Health Complications

Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from the National Center for Health Statistics on all live births between 2015 and 2021. Their study, published in the journal Epidemiology, reveals a connection between the pandemic and an increase in rates of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and gestational weight gain among pregnant women.

Key Findings

The study found that the rates of some pregnancy complications increased during the first two years of the pandemic. Specifically, the researchers discovered that:

• Gestational diabetes rates peaked at a 1.7 percentage point increase in December 2020
• Hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia, peaked at a 1.3 percentage point increase in January 2021
• Gestational weight gain peaked in March 2021

Theories on the Drivers Behind the Increase

Researchers have several theories on the drivers behind the increase in pregnancy complications during the pandemic. For example, the rise in hypertensive disorders could be linked to COVID-19 infections. The study’s authors also suggest that limited access to exercise and healthy food due to pandemic-era lockdowns or orders to work from home may have contributed to the rise in gestational diabetes and gestational weight gain. Stress during the pandemic is also a likely factor.

Pandemic-Era Expansion of Telehealth

A positive trend emerged during part of the pandemic – more pregnant women received adequate prenatal care. The study shows that the rate of inadequate prenatal care peaked in January 2021, which may be attributed to expansions in telehealth during the beginning of the pandemic.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on maternal health, with women experiencing a range of serious health issues during their pregnancies. As researchers continue to study the pandemic’s effects on maternal health, it is crucial to understand the underlying drivers behind the increase in pregnancy complications. By identifying the factors contributing to these issues, healthcare providers and policymakers can work to develop targeted strategies to support pregnant women during future public health crises.

FAQs

Q: What were the key findings of the study?
A: The study found an increase in rates of gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and gestational weight gain among pregnant women during the first two years of the pandemic.

Q: What are the potential drivers behind the increase in pregnancy complications?
A: Potential drivers include COVID-19 infections, limited access to exercise and healthy food due to pandemic-era lockdowns or orders to work from home, and stress during the pandemic.

Q: Did the pandemic have a positive impact on maternal health?
A: Yes, the study found that there was a brief expansion in telehealth during the beginning of the pandemic, which may have contributed to a decline in inadequate prenatal care.

Q: What does this study suggest for future public health crises?
A: The study highlights the need for targeted strategies to support pregnant women during future public health crises, including expansion of telehealth services and efforts to mitigate the impacts of lockdowns and work-from-home orders on women’s health.