Experiences of receiving and providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia: A five-cohort cross-sectional comparison

Abstract

Introduction The global COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way health care is delivered in many countries around the world. Evidence on the experience of those receiving or providing maternity care is important to guide practice through this challenging time. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Australia. Five key stakeholder cohorts were included to explore and compare the experiences of those receiving or providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, their partners, midwives, medical practitioners and midwifery students who had received or provided maternity care from March 2020 onwards in Australia were recruited via social media and invited to participate in an online survey released between 13th May and 24th June 2020; a total of 3701 completed responses were received. Findings While anxiety related to COVID-19 was high among all five cohorts, there were statistically significant differences between the responses from each cohort for most survey items. Women were more likely to indicate concern about their own and family’s health and safety in relation to COVID-19 whereas midwives, doctors and midwifery students were more likely to be concerned about occupational exposure to COVID-19 through working in a health setting than those receiving care through attending these environments. Midwifery students and women’s partners were more likely to respond that they felt isolated because of the changes to the way care was provided. Despite concerns about care received or provided not meeting expectations, most respondents were satisfied with the quality of care provided, although midwives and midwifery students were less likely to agree. Conclusion This paper provides a unique exploration and comparison of experiences of receiving and providing maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Findings are useful to support further service changes and future service redesign. New evidence provided offers unique insight into key stakeholders’ experiences of the rapid changes to health services.

Wellbeing of Breastfeeding Women in Australia and New Zealand during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, it was of note that the mental wellbeing of women living in Victoria and New South Wales, which were regions that experienced higher levels of COVID-19 infection, lockdowns, and social distancing measures, was more drastically affected with higher levels of perceived stress. It is of note that increased duration being pregnant during the pandemic appeared to further exacerbate negative impacts on mental wellbeing, which suggest that mothers who gave birth during the pandemic were at heightened risk of mental health issues [55]. Indeed, an accumulating body of international evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed new mothers at a significantly greater risk of poor mental health, highlighting the importance of mental-health screening and care during the pandemic [9,[28][29][30][31].…”

COVID-19 vaccination perceptions and intentions of maternity care consumers and providers in Australia

“…This cross-sectional approach provided information from a range of participants at a discrete point in time [ 17 ]. We have successfully used this design in previous research on experiences of providing and receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in these cohorts [ 18 , 19 ]. Human research ethical approval was granted by Curtin University (HRE2020-0210) with reciprocal approval issued through Deakin University (2020–175) and The University of Melbourne (2057065).…”

Business as usual during the COVID‐19 pandemic? Reflections on state‐wide trends in maternity telehealth consultations during lockdown in Victoria and New South Wales

“… 17 However, it is important to recognise women and their partners across Australia have reported significantly less satisfaction with healthcare changes during the pandemic than midwifery and medical staff. 18 This highlights the urgent need for more research on women’s perspectives of telehealth for maternity care, particularly for socially vulnerable women and those requiring interpreter or mental health services.…”