Birth and early parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in the Austrian and German population.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, new mothers and their babies represent a particularly vulnerable group. This study investigates the effects of the pandemic on the pregnancy and childbirth experience, as well as on postnatal stress and depression levels.

Methods: An online survey was completed by 1964 Austrian and German mothers who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic.