Navigating uncertainty alone: A grounded theory analysis of women's psycho-social experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in London.

The sample was mostly White, married and employed, and all births were singleton births, so experiences of more diverse women may differ. The study focused on one South London area and the first UK lockdown, so findings may not transfer to other settings or later pandemic phases. Recruitment was through social media and snowballing, which may bias toward women with internet access and motivation to participate. Interviews were remote and conducted by a psychologist, not by the women's own maternity clinicians, which may shape responses. Qualitative grounded theory generates themes and a theory, not tested effects or causal relationships. Data saturation occurred before theoretical sampling for single parents, so the sample initially had limited representation of unmarried or non-cohabiting women.

This study was funded by the King's College London King's Together Rapid COVID-19 Call, a Wellcome Trust funded initiative. The funders had no role in recruitment, data collection and analysis, or write-up. The authors declare no known competing financial interests or personal relationships.

Do not read this as evidence that remote care, PPE, or partner restrictions caused anxiety or poorer outcomes. The study is qualitative, purposive, and focused on women in one South London maternity service during one lockdown period. The sample was mostly White, married and employed.