Negative Emotions, Triggers, and Coping Strategies Among Postpartum Indian Women During Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons for the Subsequent Waves and Beyond

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 associated psychological distress among pregnant and postpartum women during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was done using a pre-validated tool involving 491 participants attending a tertiary-care hospital during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. RESULTS: Three-fourths of participants experienced negative emotions such as fear and various features of depression. Participants (75%) reported COVID-related news on TV/Radio/Newspapers including social media as the major trigger for these negative emotions. Loss of social support mainly affected postpartum women (p < 0.001) and working women (p < 0.001). Inability to access healthcare services had negative associations with age (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), and socioeconomic class (p < 0.001). Various coping strategies being followed by participants included watching TV/Videos or reading books (93%), resorting to social media (77%), spending more time praying and meditating (86%), and engaging in hobbies (56%). CONCLUSION: During the second wave, the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly high negative impact on the psychological and social well-being of pregnant and postpartum women. Hence, it is important to initiate appropriate preventive and corrective steps by the policymakers for any future waves of the pandemic.