Roberta Amadori1, Carmen I Aquino2, Sofia Colagiorgio1, Elena Osella1, Daniela Surico1, Valentino Remorgida1. 1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy. 2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy - c.immaquino@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: One of the provisions implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections in Italy was the lockdown. Effects of the lockdown on childbirth outcomes and on the well-being of both the mother and the child have not yet been defined. An inadequate diet during pregnancy and a reduced physical activity can predispose women to become overweight or obese and trigger the development of various complications and maternal-fetal adverse outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including all consecutive patients who delivered at the Maggiore della Carità Hospital in Novara, Italy, in April-May 2017 (group 1, N.=294), a period prior to the pandemic, and during the same months in 2020 (group 2, N.=256) during and immediately after lockdown. Clinical data were extracted from the report "Childbirth Assistance Certificate (CedAP) - Birth Event Analysis." RESULTS: Demographic characteristics were similar between the two study groups, except for a decreased number of married couples in group 2 (P=0.018) and an increased percentage of patients with clinical checkups at family planning facilities in 2020 (P=0.04). The number of hospitalizations during pregnancy was 26 (8.9%) vs. 10 (3.9%) with a significative reduction during 2020 (P=0.004). Regarding obstetric outcomes, we observed a significant increase in induction of labour in 2020 (23.9% vs. 35.9%; P=0. 002), a reduction of amniorrhexis (11.3% vs. 5.5% P=0.015), a reduction of supine positions with an increase of vertical and all four positions in 2020 (49.3% vs. 61.9% and 9.5% vs. 12.4% respectively, P=0.023), and a reduction of left occipito-anterior presented part (63.2% vs. 55.4%) in favor of right occipito-anterior (34.7% vs. 41.2%, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences either for antepartum or intrapartum complications. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate psychological, behavioral, and epigenetic effects of maternal physical inactivity on obstetric outcomes.
BACKGROUND: One of the provisions implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19 infections in Italy was the lockdown. Effects of the lockdown on childbirth outcomes and on the well-being of both the mother and the child have not yet been defined. An inadequate diet during pregnancy and a reduced physical activity can predispose women to become overweight or obese and trigger the development of various complications and maternal-fetal adverse outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including all consecutive patients who delivered at the Maggiore della Carità Hospital in Novara, Italy, in April-May 2017 (group 1, N.=294), a period prior to the pandemic, and during the same months in 2020 (group 2, N.=256) during and immediately after lockdown. Clinical data were extracted from the report "Childbirth Assistance Certificate (CedAP) - Birth Event Analysis." RESULTS: Demographic characteristics were similar between the two study groups, except for a decreased number of married couples in group 2 (P=0.018) and an increased percentage of patients with clinical checkups at family planning facilities in 2020 (P=0.04). The number of hospitalizations during pregnancy was 26 (8.9%) vs. 10 (3.9%) with a significative reduction during 2020 (P=0.004). Regarding obstetric outcomes, we observed a significant increase in induction of labour in 2020 (23.9% vs. 35.9%; P=0. 002), a reduction of amniorrhexis (11.3% vs. 5.5% P=0.015), a reduction of supine positions with an increase of vertical and all four positions in 2020 (49.3% vs. 61.9% and 9.5% vs. 12.4% respectively, P=0.023), and a reduction of left occipito-anterior presented part (63.2% vs. 55.4%) in favor of right occipito-anterior (34.7% vs. 41.2%, P=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences either for antepartum or intrapartum complications. Long-term studies are needed to evaluate psychological, behavioral, and epigenetic effects of maternal physical inactivity on obstetric outcomes.