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.