Impact of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions on the Pregnancy Experience: A Mixed-Methods Study

Stephanie Gill1, Karen Wong2, Colleen Cook1

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'Obstetrique Et Gynecologie Du Canada : JOGC
|April 14, 2024
PubMed

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the provision of obstetrical care. This mixed-methods study explores pregnant women's experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic using an explanatory sequential design. The experiences and opinions of obstetrical patients were elicited using an online questionnaire and semi-structured interview as a follow-up. There were 162 completed questionnaires, and 17 interviews. Qualitative analysis themes included worries about the intrapartum experience, its impact on partners, and lack of postpartum support for breastfeeding and mental health. This study provides an understanding of how the pandemic impacted pregnancy experiences, and the potential future repercussions of isolation and restrictions on wellbeing during public health crises.

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