Identification of Depression in Pregnant Women During the Covid 19 Pandemic : Descriptive Study

Abstract

Covid-19 is currently a stressor with potentially far-reaching consequences for pregnancy
and beyond. Symptoms of anxiety and depression in pregnancy usually affect between
10-25% of pregnant women. The negative impact of the incidence of pregnancy
depression on the mother and fetus from pregnancy to postpartum, as well as the
negative impact on the family. The effects of depression on pregnancy include disrupting
fetal growth and development, increasing the production of neuraladrenaline, serotonin
and gotamine, the risk of bleeding during pregnancy, the risk of abortion, premature
birth, and low birth weight. The study aimed to identify the incidence of depression in
pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Pekalongan district. This study
is a descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach involving 79 pregnant women in
Pekalongan Regency by giving questionnaires to pregnant women at 28-32 weeks of
gestation. Data collection using consecutive sampling technique. Data on the
characteristics of pregnant women using a demographic instrument and depression
experienced by pregnant women was measured using the Edinburgh Perinatal
Depression scale (EPDS). Data analysis used central tendency and frequency
distribution. The results of data analysis showed that the average age of pregnant
women was 27.72 years, the average primary and secondary education, the average
gravida status was 2.01 (multipara). As many as 24.95% of pregnant women who still
experience symptoms of depression during their pregnancy during the covid-19 pandemic
with an EPDS score of 10. Depression in pregnancy must be reduced to 1% or even
eliminated. Psychological changes during the COVID-19 pandemic make pregnant
women stressed and anxious, so these problems must be overcome. Therefore, there is a
need for intervention or action from health workers, especially midwives who can reduce
anxiety, namely discussions, providing knowledge to pregnant women