Pregnant women battle anxiety, restlessness in lockdown, many seek help through helplines, apps

Sadhna, a 28-week pregnant woman, is having sleepless nights and terrified to visit a hospital. Pooja, who is set to deliver her baby in June, at times suffers from anxiety and restlessness. Like them, many expecting mothers feel extraordinarily pressured by the uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic has brought in its wake.

And the lockdown has augmented the troubles as visiting a doctor for even the periodic consultancy or being with family and relatives is not the same as it were before the outbreak. Also, stepping out of the home to visit a hospital raises the risks manifold for not only the expecting mother but also for the one who is yet to born.

"I am away from my parents who live in Bangalore. I was supposed to be with my husband in Mumbai but my flight was cancelled. I am alone here and trying to keep myself calm through meditation," said Pooja.

Emerging evidence suggests, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research, that transmission of coronavirus from mother to baby .