The lived experiences of pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic: a descriptive phenomenological study

Abstract

Background With the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, pregnancy and childbirth for women are taking place in unusual circumstances. We explored the lived experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand their experience of pregnancy so that better support could be provided. Methods We used a descriptive phenomenological approach to understand the lived experience of pregnant women in COVID-19 pandemic. We collected data using a purposive sampling method through in-depth interviews in cyberspace with a semi-structured questionnaire. We used Colaizzi’s seven-step content analysis method to analyze the research data with the help of MAXQDA software version 2020. Results We conducted this descriptive phenomenology study on 19 pregnant women in a period between the 10th to the 20th of May, 2020. The participating women were already pregnant when the first signs of the epidemic appeared in the country and at the time of the interview. We acquired four themes including disruption of the tranquility and regular routines of daily life, new challenges caused by the epidemic, resilience and strength in facing the crisis, and adaptation with new conditions. Conclusions The pregnant women were under intense stress during the COVID-19 outbreak. The general mobilization the health system is necessary for alleviating pregnant women’s difficulties in situations like the COVID-19 epidemic. Virtual training classes and virtual counseling may enhance the peace and tranquility of pregnant women.

Women’s experience of pregnancy and birth during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

“…Several studies have now looked at the experiences of pregnant and postnatal women globally, and while their experiences are specific to their location and the timeframe in the pandemic that the research was carried out, recurrent themes are emerging. As with the women in our study, anxiety and fear [ 14 , 20 – 24 ] were commonly reported as was the need for reliable information [ 22 – 24 ]. In one study of perinatal anxiety in the USA, 60% of women reported moderate or severe anxiety symptoms [ 25 ].…”

“…In a study in Italy, which was the epicenter of the pandemic in Europe in the early stages, women with a history of anxiety or depression were at a higher risk of anxiety symptoms or post-traumatic stress disorder during “lockdown” than those without[ 13 ]. Disruption to antenatal and postnatal care was seen all over the world [ 24 , 26 – 28 ]; however the degree of disruption varied according to the resources, or lack of resources, in that particular country. Low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable to the disruption of routine maternal and neonatal care [ 27 , 29 ].…”

Prenatal and Postnatal Anxiety and Depression in Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Other concerning issues are the emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion and loss of medical staff, the shortage of essential hygiene equipment, the varieties of symptoms and secondary diseases caused by the infection, and the failure of many proposed treatments [ 34 ].…”

Population birth outcomes in 2020 and experiences of expectant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a ‘Born in Wales’ mixed methods study using routine data

“…While a number of studies have assessed women's experiences of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic [35,36,37], studies conducted in Wales are lacking. In addition, there are a lack of studies examining experiences of pregnancy during the pandemic in combination with national data on objective measures of neonatal and obstetric outcomes.…”