Home
Issues
Aim & Scope
Open Access
Editorial Board
Indexing
Supporting Midwifery Associations
Contact us
Manuscript Types
Manuscript Formatting
How to submit
Special publications and Reprints
Authorship & COI
Principles of Transparency Checklist
Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The lived experience of CMV infection in pregnancy – Perspectives from Switzerland
1
University of Health Sciences of Lausanne HESAV- Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
2
University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Department of Obstetrics- Department of Women- Mother and Child, Lausanne, Switzerland
3
University Institute for Training and Research in Care- FBM- UNIL, Lausanne, Switzerland
4
University Hospital and University of Lausanne FBM, Neonatology Department- Department of Women- Mother and Child, Lausanne, Switzerland
5
University of Health Sciences of Lausanne HESAV, Midwifery, Lausanne, Switzerland
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A1035
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in Switzerland, affecting over 400 newborns annually. While early pregnancy screening for primary maternal CMV infection is supported by advances in diagnosis and in utero treatment, its psychological impact and acceptability among pregnant women remain underexplored.
OBJECTIVES:
Objectives: Assess emotional outcomes and screening acceptability among CMV-infected pregnant women following diagnosis.
METHODS:
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a prospective cohort of CMV-infected pregnant women in Switzerland, beginning June 2024. Women completed validated questionnaires at one week post-diagnosis and maternal-fetal consultation (T1), and 8 weeks before term (T2). Measures included anxiety (HADS), well-being (WHO-5), post-traumatic stress (PCL-5), depression (EPDS), and regret (DRS). Univariate analyses identified clinical predictors of emotional response.
RESULTS:
Results : At T1 (n=105), 28.3% had PCL-5 scores >33, indicating likely post-traumatic stress. Median WHO-5 well-being score was 52; 47.5% scored <50, and 23.8% <28, suggesting reduced well-being and depressive symptoms. Median HADS anxiety score was 8; 36.5% scored ≥11, indicating clinically significant anxiety. At T2, WHO-5 improved to 80, though 19.7% remained <50 and 8.5% <28. HADS anxiety dropped to median 4; 13% scored ≥11. EPDS median was 3.5, with 18.6% ≥13, suggesting probable depression. Screening was well accepted: 89% at T1, 98.9% at T2; regret declined from 18% to 4%. Anxiety was significantly higher with positive amniotic PCR (p=0.002) and abnormal imaging (p=0.009). In contrast, negative CMV-PCR results (↓ anxiety, p=0.006; ↑ well-being, p=0.003) and fewer medical interventions, such as absence of fetal MRI (↓ anxiety, p=0.006; ↑ well-being, p=0.041), were protective.
CONCLUSIONS:
Conclusion : Prenatal CMV screening may cause emotional distress, especially after adverse findings, yet its high acceptability reflects that maternal concern for fetal health and informed decision-making outweighs the emotional burden.
KEY MESSAGE:
Key message: Clear communication, counseling, and minimizing unnecessary interventions may help safeguard maternal emotional well-being throughout pregnancy. Poster session 4 (Group B)
Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in Switzerland, affecting over 400 newborns annually. While early pregnancy screening for primary maternal CMV infection is supported by advances in diagnosis and in utero treatment, its psychological impact and acceptability among pregnant women remain underexplored.
OBJECTIVES:
Objectives: Assess emotional outcomes and screening acceptability among CMV-infected pregnant women following diagnosis.
METHODS:
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a prospective cohort of CMV-infected pregnant women in Switzerland, beginning June 2024. Women completed validated questionnaires at one week post-diagnosis and maternal-fetal consultation (T1), and 8 weeks before term (T2). Measures included anxiety (HADS), well-being (WHO-5), post-traumatic stress (PCL-5), depression (EPDS), and regret (DRS). Univariate analyses identified clinical predictors of emotional response.
RESULTS:
Results : At T1 (n=105), 28.3% had PCL-5 scores >33, indicating likely post-traumatic stress. Median WHO-5 well-being score was 52; 47.5% scored <50, and 23.8% <28, suggesting reduced well-being and depressive symptoms. Median HADS anxiety score was 8; 36.5% scored ≥11, indicating clinically significant anxiety. At T2, WHO-5 improved to 80, though 19.7% remained <50 and 8.5% <28. HADS anxiety dropped to median 4; 13% scored ≥11. EPDS median was 3.5, with 18.6% ≥13, suggesting probable depression. Screening was well accepted: 89% at T1, 98.9% at T2; regret declined from 18% to 4%. Anxiety was significantly higher with positive amniotic PCR (p=0.002) and abnormal imaging (p=0.009). In contrast, negative CMV-PCR results (↓ anxiety, p=0.006; ↑ well-being, p=0.003) and fewer medical interventions, such as absence of fetal MRI (↓ anxiety, p=0.006; ↑ well-being, p=0.041), were protective.
CONCLUSIONS:
Conclusion : Prenatal CMV screening may cause emotional distress, especially after adverse findings, yet its high acceptability reflects that maternal concern for fetal health and informed decision-making outweighs the emotional burden.
KEY MESSAGE:
Key message: Clear communication, counseling, and minimizing unnecessary interventions may help safeguard maternal emotional well-being throughout pregnancy. Poster session 4 (Group B)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
