Several researchers have reported significant stress accompanying the lockdown restriction imposed on large populations to hinder the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), during the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This was especially the case during the perinatal period, when many women require additional physical and emotional support.

A new preprint study posted to the medRxiv* server examined the changes in the mental state of pregnant women over the first COVID-19-related lockdown in France, and the persistence of anxiety-related symptoms over the two months following the end of the lockdown. This may help frame more appropriate interventions as required during future pandemics.