"Fear and anxiety is what I recall the best.": A phenomenological examination of mothers' pregnancy experiences during COVID-19 in the United States.
Tuyen Huynh, Courtney Boise, Michaela Elizabeth Kihntopf and 2 others
PMID 37099827WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers described a pandemic pregnancy defined by fear, isolation, and restricted support.
They faced vaccine uncertainty and no-visitor policies that caused distress. However, some found working from home and fewer visitors beneficial for rest and bonding.
Key findings
01Mothers reported heightened anxiety and stress due to uncertainty about COVID-19 vaccines and exposure risks to themselves and their babies.
02The no-visitor policy was a major source of distress, preventing partners from attending appointments and contributing to feelings of isolation, though some mothers appreciated the reduced social pressure.
03While many mothers struggled with childcare and lack of support, others found working from home and staying home to be positive aspects that allowed for better rest and family time.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was not diverse, with 92.9% of participants identifying as White/Caucasian, limiting the generalizability of findings to other racial and ethnic groups who may have faced different healthcare disparities. Participants were recruited from a university parent listserv, which may introduce selection bias towards individuals with higher education or specific socioeconomic backgrounds. The study was conducted in one region of the United States, so experiences may differ in other geographic areas. All interviews occurred after the participants had given birth, relying on retrospective recall which may be subject to memory bias. The sample size was small (n=28), typical for qualitative research but limiting the breadth of perspectives captured.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all mothers experienced the pandemic restrictions negatively. Some participants reported that working from home and the no-visitor policy provided welcome relief from social obligations and physical strain, suggesting that individual preferences and circumstances heavily influence the impact of public health measures.