The impact of COVID-19 on pregnant womens' experiences and perceptions of antenatal maternity care, social support, and stress-reduction strategies.

Participants were recruited through pregnancy forums and social media, so they were self-selected and may not represent women without internet access or those less engaged with maternity services. The sample was predominantly white, married or cohabiting, aged 30 or older, degree-educated, and from the United States, Ireland, or the United Kingdom, limiting generalisability. This was a cross-sectional survey, so it can show associations but cannot prove that pandemic restrictions caused stress or that social support caused satisfaction. The study did not measure actual antenatal attendance or clinical outcomes; it measured perceived number of appointments compared with expectations. Stress, mental and physical health outcomes were reported elsewhere, so this paper only covers satisfaction with antenatal care and social support. Data were collected in June and July 2020, when pandemic restrictions, information, and local policies varied widely.

Supported by Evidence Synthesis Ireland and the Health Research Board Trials Methodology Research Network COVID-19 Emergency Evidence Response Service Summer Scholarship, and by a Health Research Board Applying Research into Policy and Practice Fellowship. The funders had no role in design, conduct, analysis, or interpretation. No conflicts of interest were declared.

Do not conclude that pandemic maternity restrictions were harmless because 59.3% said the number of appointments was right. The study measured perceptions only, did not measure attendance or clinical outcomes, and also found reduced support and increased stress.