Experience of early motherhood during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Germany: a single-centre before and after comparison

PURPOSE: To assess maternal mental health during the first weeks after birth including birth experience, postpartum adjustment to early motherhood and the perception of newborn behaviour, and how this may be influenced by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: Ninety women who gave birth after the first enforcement of nation-wide disease control restrictions in Germany between 16 March and 10 May 2020 were surveyed and compared with 101 women who had given birth before the pandemic. Information on maternal mental health and maternal perception of early motherhood and neonatal behaviour were assessed at 3-8 weeks postpartum.

RESULTS: Mothers who gave birth under the COVID-19-associated disease control restrictions did not show significant differences in depression, anxiety and social support scales compared to mothers before the pandemic. Birth experience was similar, while support during birth was perceived to be higher under the COVID-19 restrictions. Confidence in caretaking of the newborn and perception of neonatal behaviour were comparable between the two groups. Mothers expressed significantly higher dissatisfaction with the maternal role during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, maternal mental health and the perception of the newborn and early caretaking during the first COVID-19 wave did not substantially differ from the perceptions of mothers before the pandemic. A potential influence of the pandemic on higher dissatisfaction with the maternal role may be associated with the pandemic conditions affecting everyday life and should be addressed in postpartum care and in future qualitative and longitudinal studies.