PREGNANCY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Ask most women who have given birth, and they’ll say being pregnant was one of the happiest times of their lives. But with the current COVID-19 pandemic changing how we navigate our lives, many moms-to-be can’t help but worry about how the affects it might have on their baby’s delivery, health, and future.

The extra concern is adding more stress to many expecting mothers—something researchers at the University of Calgary want to learn more about. Led by Dr. Catharine Lebel, an Associate Professor in the Department of Radiology at the university, the study examines life changes and mental health in pregnant people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the affects it can have on both the pregnant individual and the baby.

The study will also assess how other factors, such as social support, might alleviate stress, and how this could impact pregnancy and birth outcomes.

The research team hopes to get insights from pregnant people from different parts of Canada, with varying types of pre-natal care. Dr. Lebel says the response to the study has already been successful in the first week alone, but more participants are still needed.

The study involves answering a series of questions that is completed online, and is open to people aged 18-100 under 35 weeks of gestation and access to the internet.

Interested in participating?

Visit pregnancyduringthepandemic.com to start the survey or get more information. Participants can contact the researchers at pregnancy@ucalgary.ca

Stay informed about all COVID-19 studies.

View Study