Peer-reviewed article
Slipping through the net: a qualitative study exploring women's experiences of maternity in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harding FJ, Gatuguta A, Eziefula AC ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study explored the experiences of 12 women who gave birth in South East England during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research found that women felt isolated and unsupported during pregnancy, birth and postnatal care due to remote appointments and visiting restrictions. While some women appreciated telemedicine and bonding time with their babies, others felt unsafe with remote care, and those recovering from caesarean sections on postnatal wards were particularly affected by lack of support.
Key points
- Women reported feeling isolated and under-supported during the perinatal period, particularly on postnatal wards
- Caesarean section patients experienced immobilisation and pain without adequate support
- Some positive experiences included improved bonding with babies and reduced external pressure on parenting
- Telemedicine was useful for some participants but felt unsafe for others
- Social media use for sharing information improved communication during the pandemic
Limitations
This is a small qualitative study with only 12 participants from one region of England, so findings may not be generalisable to other settings or countries. The study describes women's perceptions and experiences but does not measure clinical outcomes or compare maternity outcomes before and after pandemic changes.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The quality of maternity experiences impacts the health and wellbeing of both the mother and baby. Widespread changes were made to maternity care and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK, altering the usual experience of pregnancy, birth and postnatal care. Remote care appointments and hospital/home visiting restrictions affected the extent to which women could receive medical, social, and emotional support. The aim of this study was to explore women’s experiences of pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period during the COVID-19 pandemic in South East England. METHODS: In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 participants who had given birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were recruited from mother and baby groups and data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: Women felt isolated and under-supported during the perinatal period. This was most noted in the postnatal wards by women who experienced immobilisation and pain following caesarean section. Reported positive experiences were improved opportunity to bond with their child and avoidance of undue external child-rearing pressures and pregnancy-related negative stories. Telemedicine was considered useful for some participants, and felt unsafe for others. Innovative use of social media to share up-to-date information improved crucial communication. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in staffing and visiting restrictions contributed to unsatisfactory experiences at home and on postnatal wards. The study highlights shortcomings in pandemic maternity services, and the importance of planning for future critical incidents, to promote positive maternal and child health outcomes. Telemedicine and social media have the potential to improve care and foster a sense of community in maternity services, however, further evaluation to ensure safety is needed.