Navigating through motherhood in pregnancy and postpartum periods during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review and qualitative meta‐synthesis

Abstract

Aim The aim of this work is to critically appraise and synthesize the qualitative studies on the experiences, perspectives, and consequences of pregnant women experiencing motherhood during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has posed a threat to the health of pregnant women. Such a pandemic disrupted their routine care, as well as normal daily life. However, little is known about their coping strategies to the changes brought by COVID‐19. Evaluation A qualitative systematic review was conducted according to the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) checklist. A meta‐aggregative approach rooted in pragmatism and Husserlian transcendental phenomenology was used to synthesize the findings. Dependability and credibility of both study findings and synthesized findings were appraised by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) ConQual process. Key issues Key issues include (a) pregnant women experienced changes in routine care, (b) pregnant women used a range of strategies to cope with the consequence of the pandemic, (c) pregnant women struggled to embrace motherhood, and (d) pregnant women received different levels of social support. Conclusion Facing challenges caused by the pandemic, pregnant women used a variety of strategies to cope with and adapt to the changes, but sometimes the adaption is limited. Emotional, instrumental, and informational support should be provided to them in an accessible way. Implications for Nursing Management As an essential part of policymakers, nursing managers should consider the balance between restriction and the accessibility of maternity care. It is also crucial for them to consider how to provide necessary support in an accessible way.

Pregnant and postpartum women’s experiences of the indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in high-income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis

“… High confidence Minor concerns regarding methodological limitations (reflexivity, aim and research design, data saturation, data analysis, new areas of research), No/Very minor concerns regarding coherence, No/Very minor concerns regarding adequacy, and Minor concerns regarding relevance (some studies did not clearly indicate age of babies or studied specific sub-populations of women). [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 9 , 12 – 18 , 21 – 26 , 28 , 32 , 33 , 36 ] 1.2. Balancing exposure risk and need for healthy behaviours Stressors of the pandemic evoked reactive health behaviours such as shielding in their homes (staying at home), limiting movement outdoors and avoiding healthcare settings.…”

“… High confidence Minor concerns regarding methodological limitations (design, data saturation, reflexivity and new areas of research), No/Very minor concerns regarding coherence, No/Very minor concerns regarding adequacy, and No/Very minor concerns regarding relevance. [ 2 , 5 , 8 , 11 , 13 , 19 , 22 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 35 , 36 ] 2.2. Reduced support and partner presence in healthcare settings The policies implemented limiting support people and partners throughout the perinatal period were described by women as unfair, anxiety and stress provoking, and traumatic.…”

“…Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a plethora of qualitative studies on women’s experiences [ 19 , 22 – 26 ] – the significant volume of papers highlights the need for a clear synthesis. Reviews of qualitative evidence have reported pregnant women’s experiences of social support [ 27 ], as well as highlighting the challenges they faced as they embraced motherhood during the pandemic [ 28 ]. Collating the evidence in a systematic and transparent manner will allow policymakers to consider the indirect implications of public health restrictions on the physical, emotional, and psychosocial health and wellbeing of pregnant and postpartum women.…”

Postpartum experiences of women, birthing people, and their families during COVID-19: a qualitative systematic review protocol

“…One qualitative systematic review was published about motherhood throughout the perinatal continuum of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, but it did not focus specifically on the postpartum experiences of women, birthing people, and their families. 25 PROSPERO was also checked and yielded no results. This review follows a previous qualitative systematic review by Macdonald et al 26 about the birthing care experiences of midwives, nurses, women, and birthing people during COVID-19.…”

“…A preliminary search of PROSPERO, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and JBI Evidence Synthesis was conducted and no current or in-progress systematic reviews on the topic were identified. One qualitative systematic review was published about motherhood throughout the perinatal continuum of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, but it did not focus specifically on the postpartum experiences of women, birthing people, and their families 25 . PROSPERO was also checked and yielded no results.…”