Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the behavioral responses of pregnant women during the
early stage of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
Methods: We recruited 1,099 women to complete an online questionnaire survey from February 10 to
February 25, 2020. The subjects were divided into two groups (the pregnant women group and the
control group).
Results: Concerns about infection: most of the participants watched the COVID-19 news at least once a
day. Protective behaviors: the utilization rate of pregnant women (often using various measures) was
higher than that of nonpregnant women. Exercise: 30.6% of the pregnant women continued to exercise at
home, whereas in the control group, this percentage was 8.4%. Spouse relationship: 38.8% of the subjects’
relationship improved, whereas only 2.3% thought the relationship was getting worse.
Conclusion: Pregnant women had some unique behavioral responses different from that of nonpregnant
women. It is important to understand the behavioral responses of pregnant women in this network era.