COVID-19 lockdowns affected birthing outcomes in a regional New South Wales Health District
Publication Name
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Abstract
Introduction: The 400 000 residents of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) experienced two distinct lockdowns aimed at mitigating the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Analysing effects of these lockdowns on maternal and neonatal outcomes presents a valuable opportunity to assess the impact of pandemic-level restrictions on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Aim: Evaluate the impacts of restrictions from two lockdown periods on maternal, birthing, and neonatal outcomes within a regional local health district. Materials and Methods: The study included 22 166 women who gave birth within ISLHD between 2017 and 2022. Groups included for analysis: Control Group – mothers pregnant before the pandemic (conception before 3 April 2019); Exposure Group 1 – mothers pregnant during the first lockdown (conception date 22 January 2020 to 5 May 2020); and Exposure Group 2 – mothers pregnant during the second lockdown (conception date 30 April 2021 to 13 Sep 2021). Results: Odds of adverse birthing outcomes including non-reassuring fetal status (odds ratio (OR) 1.34; 95% CI 1.14–1.56 and OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.03–1.40), and postpartum haemorrhage (OR 2.04; 95% CI 1.73–2.41 and OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.48–2.05) were substantially increased in Exposure Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, low birth weight and admission to neonatal intensive care rates improved. Conclusions: Pregnant women exposed to pandemic restrictions within ISLHD had decreased odds of adverse antenatal and neonatal outcomes, but increased odds of poor peripartum outcomes.
Open Access Status
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