The impact of COVID-19 on prenatal care in the United States: Qualitative analysis from a survey of 2519 pregnant women.
Sarah Javaid, Sarah Barringer, Sarah D Compton and 3 others
PMID 33774388WHAT IT FOUND
Pregnant women described prenatal care shifting to virtual visits, restricted support people, and rushed appointments, leading to fear and feelings of abandonment.
Some women felt care quality was unchanged or improved, but many worried complications were being missed due to reduced in-person contact.
Key findings
01Structural changes, including reduced in-person visits and social distancing, were the predominant theme, reported by 2075 respondents.
02Women reported emotional consequences including fear, anxiety, and feelings of abandonment, with some questioning if necessary procedures were being skipped to save time or money.
03Perceptions of care quality varied significantly, with some women feeling care was compromised and others reporting no change or improvement due to provider attentiveness.
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 self-selected and recruited primarily via social media, leading to a population that was disproportionately white (88.0%) and well-educated (50.6% had a master's degree or higher). The open-ended format prevented researchers from probing for clarification or deeper detail on specific concerns. Data were collected during the early months of the pandemic, so findings may not reflect later adaptations in care delivery.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest, and the research did not receive specific grant funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the variation in care quality as evidence that virtual or reduced-contact prenatal care is superior or inferior for all patients. The study describes perceptions during a crisis with inconsistent implementation, not the efficacy of specific care models.