Exploring the Impact of Restricted Partners’ Visiting Policies on Non-Infected Mothers’ Mental Health and Breastfeeding Rates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Changes in perinatal care occurring during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may negatively affect mothers’ mental health and breastfeeding. This study, performed between April and May 2020, aimed to investigate the effect of restricted partners’ visiting policies on non-infected moth...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2021-06, Vol.18 (12), p.6347
Main Authors: Morniroli, Daniela, Consales, Alessandra, Colombo, Lorenzo, Bezze, Elena Nicoletta, Zanotta, Lidia, Plevani, Laura, Fumagalli, Monica, Mosca, Fabio, Giannì, Maria Lorella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Breast feeding
Breastfeeding & lactation
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Disease transmission
Enrollments
Hospitals
Italian language
Likert scale
Mean
Mental health
Mothers
Neonates
Pandemics
Perception
Public health
Questionnaires
Risk analysis
Risk factors
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Signs and symptoms
Social distancing
Viral diseases
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Summary:Changes in perinatal care occurring during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may negatively affect mothers’ mental health and breastfeeding. This study, performed between April and May 2020, aimed to investigate the effect of restricted partners’ visiting policies on non-infected mother’s anxiety symptoms, the perceived postpartum support, and the breastfeeding outcomes at discharge. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a neonatal tertiary referral center in northern Italy during Italy’s lockdown. We enrolled mothers with a negative nasopharyngeal swab for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), adequate oral and written comprehension of the Italian language, and absence of underlying maternal or neonatal clinical conditions. Maternal anxiety levels were assessed through the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y (STAI-Y). Maternal perception of staff’s support was evaluated by the Nurse Parent Support Tool (NPST). A STATE-A (concurrent emotional state after a specific situation) score ≥ 40 was considered indicative of clinically significant symptoms of anxiety. A total of 109 mothers completed the study. Mean STATE-A score was ≥40 in 42% of mothers, and median NPST score was 4.23. Mothers separated from their partner had a mean STATE-A score ≥ 40 in a higher percentage of cases than those who were not (51% vs. 30%, p = 0.03) and a lower perception of caregiver support. A NPST score ≤4.23, partner ‘s absence during the hospital stay and primiparity were independently associated with a STATE-A score ≥ 40. Breastfeeding rates at discharge were not influenced by maternal anxiety levels and partner’s restricted policies. Instead, they were influenced by mode of delivery, a well-known risk factor, and pre-pandemic intention to breastfeed. Our study demonstrates the positive impact of a partner’s presence on maternal mental health and perception of caregiver support.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph18126347