The emotional and social impact of COVID-19 on postpartum women: A qualitative analysis on the experiences of women who gave birth during the pandemic in New York City.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic created unique challenges for perinatal individuals in New York City, particularly in neighborhoods with predominantly Black and Latino populations.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore the mental and emotional health experiences of postpartum individuals residing in North and Central Brooklyn, East and Central Harlem, and the South Bronx neighborhoods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

A qualitative study design was used, emphasizing the lived experiences of postpartum women throughout the pandemic.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were conducted with 41 women, who gave birth between March 2020 and March 2022, in English and Spanish. Data were collected through telephone calls, between July and August 2023. A thematic analytical approach was applied.

RESULTS

Most participants reported experiencing the emotional changes that are commonly cited during the postpartum period, such as feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. However, these feelings felt heightened and exacerbated as repercussions of the pandemic. Some shared the negative impact of the pandemic, such as isolation, fear of the virus, changes in healthcare protocols and the loss of social support. Others elevated the joys experienced due to their status as a new parent and the unanticipated benefits of the pandemic, specifically, increased maternal bonding time and opportunities to create healthier social networks.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights important gaps in maternal health services during emergencies and underscores the need for policies addressing structural inequities, enhancing social support systems, and expanding access to perinatal mental health services. Investments in paid family leave, affordable childcare, telehealth, and expansion of the perinatal health workforce are critical to improving birth and postpartum outcomes, particularly for populations living in disinvested neighborhoods. Emergency response planning must prioritize the physiological and psychological safety of perinatal individuals to ensure equitable health outcomes.