Perspectives of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study.
Kiran Atmuri, Mahbub Sarkar, Efe Obudu and 1 others
PMID 33766506WHAT IT FOUND
Pregnant women described pandemic restrictions as disrupting support, birth education and telehealth, while seeking information and finding some home working benefits.
They asked maternity services for clearer support, preparedness and uncertainty information.
Key findings
01Women said physical-distancing restrictions reduced support from partners, family and peers, and they valued having a partner or support person present.
02Cancelled face-to-face birth and parenting education and possible early discharge made women feel less prepared for birth and early motherhood.
03Telehealth was valued for safety but felt impersonal and rushed, while women actively sought information about risks, care changes and support.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Convenience sampling from one Australian public hospital limits generalisability. Most women were Caucasian and from a Western setting, so experiences may differ in other groups. The interviews took place during stay-at-home restrictions, which may have shaped the emphasis on anxiety and uncertainty. Partner perspectives were reported by women, not partners themselves. The small number of interviews cannot show how common these experiences are or prove that any service change improves wellbeing.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest and no funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these themes as proof that adding doula support, virtual tours or earlier telehealth follow-up improves mental health or birth outcomes. The study reports what pregnant women said they experienced and wanted, not tested effects.