In the tumultuous landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, sweeping lockdowns and ongoing health crises posed unique challenges - countries grappled with rising infection rates and secondary consequences of the pandemic, including increased isolation and anxiety, exacerbated mental health issues among perinatal populations. Despite significant research efforts, there remains a critical need to dissect these impacts comprehensively and understand the mechanisms through which pandemics affect maternal mental health. Recent studies have started to illuminate the complex interactions between pandemic-related stressors and perinatal well-being, yet gaps persist in longitudinal data and diverse population studies.

This Research Topic seeks to synthesize existing knowledge, identify lessons learned, and chart clear directions for future research concerning the intersection of COVID-19 and perinatal mental health. It aims to enhance understanding of how pandemic-related disturbances influence perinatal mental states and inform strategies for managing these impacts in future health crises.

To gather further insights into the broad-reaching effects of pandemics on perinatal mental health, this topic is open to a diverse range of submissions. We limit our focus to the psychological impacts directly and indirectly associated with pandemic conditions.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- Empirical analyses of the impact of COVID-19 on perinatal mental health.
- Studies on long COVID implications during the perinatal period, including risk factors and health outcomes.
- Evaluations of lockdowns and social distancing measures on perinatal well-being.
- Research on adaptations in the care and treatment of perinatal psychiatric conditions during and post-pandemic.
- Comparative studies on pre-pandemic versus pandemic-era perinatal mental health outcomes.
- Longitudinal studies tracking the mental health of perinatal individuals through the stages of the pandemic.
- Analysis of telehealth interventions and their effectiveness in treating perinatal mental health during lockdowns.
- Investigation into the role of support networks and community resources in mitigating adverse perinatal mental health outcomes.
- Cross-cultural studies examining the variability in perinatal mental health impacts across different regions and healthcare systems.
- Policy-driven research focusing on recommendations for improving perinatal mental health resilience in anticipation of future pandemics.

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Frontiers in Psychiatry

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