Respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19: A human rights perspective

Reingold, Rebecca B.; Barbosa, Isabel Cristina Lopes; Mishori, Ranit

doi:10.1002/ijgo.13376

Cited by 43 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…21,22 The lack of communication from healthcare providers, rapidly changing healthcare messages, and the consistently evolving medical care policies (i.e., telehealth) 23 about what to do during pregnancy increase the uncertainty among birth mothers. 4,22 Our findings confirm that pre-and postpartum mothers need increased support and assurance by health professionals during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period. 24…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

“…The right to access information enables women to make informed decisions about their care. Moreover, “respectful maternity care requires effective communication between patients and providers.” 4 As such, in the context of the pandemic, upholding clear communication with women is essential to promoting respectful maternity care, which in turn can improve birth experiences. 19…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 Although the pandemic-related stressors (e.g., social isolation, quarantine, face mask, misinformation, and uncertainties) are not unique to this population, changes to hospital and provider policies (e.g., suspension or cancellation of in-person antenatal care and policies restricting visitors during labor and delivery) may lead to adverse birth experiences and poor mental health outcomes. 3,4 Studies posit that a negative birth experience, having a sudden change in birth plans, and lack of support during birth are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 5 Moreover, mental health problems during pregnancy are associated with lifelong negative consequences on the mother and fetus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, "respectful maternity care requires effective communication between patients and providers. "4 As such, in the context of the pandemic, upholding clear communication with women is essential to promoting respectful maternity care, which in turn can improve birth experiences 19. Postpartum adjustmentMothers noted that they struggled to adjust to the postpartum period.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative analysis of YouTube birth stories

Ajayi

Harvey

Panjwani

et al. 2021

Preprint

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IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has brought on unprecedented changes, not only to our daily lives but also to our healthcare system. The pandemic has particularly impacted pregnant women that must give birth with tight restrictions and significant uncertainties. Birth stories have frequently been used as a way for women to describe their experiences with the birthing process. In this uncertain time, birth stories can provide valuable insight into how pregnancy and birth stressors during a pandemic can impact the patient’s overall experience. This study sought to describe and understand pregnant and new mothers’ lived experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsResearchers extracted relevant YouTube birth stories using predetermined search terms and inclusion criteria. The mothers’ birth stories were narrated in their second or third trimester or those who had recently given birth during the study period. Birth stories were analyzed using an inductive and deductive approach to capture different aspects of the birthing experience.ResultsOverall, eighty-three birth stories were analyzed. Within these birth stories, four broad themes and twelve subthemes emerged. Key themes included a sense of loss, hospital experiences, experiences with healthcare providers, and unique experiences during birth and postpartum. The birth stories revealed negative and positive birth experiences. Particularly, mothers were frustrated with constantly changing policies within the healthcare setting that negatively affected their birthing experience. On the other hand, support from healthcare professionals, having their partners in the delivery room, and having a positive mindset was instrumental in having a positive birth experience.ConclusionResults from this study provided a detailed description of women’s lived experience with giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers need to provide clear communication and compassionate patient-centered care to relieve women’s anxiety about uncertain and unpredictable policy as the pandemic continues to evolve.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative analysis of YouTube birth stories

Ajayi

Harvey

Panjwani

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…IJGO has published three papers to date from the NGO Physicians for Human Rights, which focused on important social and ethical issues that that the pandemic has brought to light. A special communication by Johnson et al examined the impact of COVID‐19 on services for people affected by sexual and gender‐based violence, with a focus on the UK and Kenya, 12 while a second by Reingold et al raises important issues around the human rights perspectives on respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19 13 . At the beginning of the pandemic there were widespread restrictions in place against women having a companion present during labor and delivery, with hospitals adopting policies aimed at reducing the risk of disease spread.…”

Section: The Role Of Ijgomentioning

confidence: 99%

The COVID‐19 pandemic: A first‐year review through the lens of IJGO

Maprayil

Goggins

Harris

et al. 2021

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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Individual and country‐level variables associated with the medicalization of birth: Multilevel analyses of IMAgiNE EURO data from 15 countries in the WHO European region

Miani

Wandschneider

Batram‐Zantvoort

et al. 2022

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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Objective: To investigate potential associations between individual and country-level factors and medicalization of birth in 15 European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Online anonymous survey of women who gave birth in 2020-2021. Multivariable multilevel logistic regression models estimating associations between indicators of medicalization (cesarean, instrumental vaginal birth [IVB], episiotomy, fundal pressure) and proxy variables related to care culture and contextual factors at the individual and country level.Results: Among 27 173 women, 24.4% (n = 6650) had a cesarean and 8.8% (n = 2380) an IVB. Among women with IVB, 41.9% (n = 998) reported receiving fundal pressure.Among women with spontaneous vaginal births, 22.3% (n = 4048) had an episiotomy.Less respectful care, as perceived by the women, was associated with higher levels of medicalization. For example, women who reported having a cesarean, IVB, or episiotomy reported not feeling treated with dignity more frequently than women who did not have those interventions (odds ratio [OR] 1.37; OR 1.61; OR 1.51, respectively; all: P < 0.001).Country-level variables contributed to explaining some of the variance between countries. Conclusion:We recommend a greater emphasis in health policies on promotion of respectful and patient-centered care approaches to birth to enhance women's experiences of care, and the development of a European-level indicator to monitor medicalization of reproductive care.

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Respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19: A human rights perspective

Abstract: Pregnant women should receive respectful maternity care in the context of COVID‐19 and not be subject to policies and practices that violate their human rights.

Cited by 43 publications

References 11 publications

Lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative analysis of YouTube birth stories

Lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative analysis of YouTube birth stories

The COVID‐19 pandemic: A first‐year review through the lens of IJGO

Individual and country‐level variables associated with the medicalization of birth: Multilevel analyses of IMAgiNE EURO data from 15 countries in the WHO European region

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