A Qualitative Exploration of How the Pregnancy and Postpartum Journey Was Shaped by the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned.

OBJECTIVES

The psychosocial well-being of pregnant and postpartum people has historically been affected by pandemics. This study investigates how peripartum experiences were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This qualitative study used a phenomenological framework. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit peripartum people from the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre's Academic Family Health Team, DAN Women and Babies Program and Don Mills Family Health Team. A demographic questionnaire and semi-structured telephone interview was used to explore peripartum experiences. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, anonymized and analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 15 pregnant and postpartum participants were interviewed between March and July 2021. On average, participants were 35 years in age, spoke English, had household incomes of greater than $100,000 and were in partnerships. Themes illustrate that peripartum experiences were characterized by anxiety, isolation, loss of experience, interactions with health care providers, adjusting to a new normal and resilience. Participants described a need for improvements in maternal mental health care and health care communication, and the importance of building strong support networks.

CONCLUSIONS

The lived experiences of peripartum people during the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate the need for increased awareness of the social dimensions of health. Isolation, lack of supports, lack of access to care and fragmented and weakened therapeutic alliances were intensified during the pandemic, but are challenges for the post-pandemic period as well. Health care delivery can adapt to better support psychosocial well-being through careful attention to the appropriate use of virtual care and the development of social and mental health support networks.