Interpretation
.Given that previous studies have reported similar levels of well-being between men and women, pregnant or not, we hypothesised that the specific official measures affecting pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women based on the precautionary principle might have compromised their well-being.21,25 We were surprised that we did not observe any difference in well-being between pregnant and non-pregnant women. This may be explained in part by the fact that work is also a major source of stress, from which some pregnant women are protected.26 This hypothesis was also suggested to explain the decrease in the preterm birth rate during the lockdown.27 During the French lockdown, many pregnant women, especially among those working as caregivers, were declared temporarily unavailable for work to protect them. Our study showed a lower level of well-being among women in general and pregnant women in particular during than before lockdown: 49 for the WEMSBS total score for both groups during lockdown in our study vs. 53 among the French general population in 2014 (not of women, but identical in the one group primarily female, and the one primarily male)21 and 54 among British women pregnant with their first child in 2016-17.25 These results are in line with those recently published about a population recruited in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland.12 This is especially relevant because our response bias probably resulted in overestimating women’s well-being. Lastly, let us consider that, apart from the specific restrictions for pregnant women, the main restriction of confinement that applied to all women may have been particularly burdensome for non-pregnant mothers who were working at home while caring for their child(ren) (more so than for pregnant women without children).The lack of a significant association between the presence of psychiatric history or addiction and well-being could be related to a selection bias in our sample but suggests the importance of caring for the well-being of all pregnant women, regardless of their history. Contrary to results from a Chinese study, living in urban-based environments appears to be a protective factor for well-being.28 Recent studies have showed a negative impact of rural living on mental health in Turkey and Italy.29,30 But fear of contracting the virus and being locked down are legitimate factors that may affect women’s well-being.