Becoming a mother in the ‘new’ social world in Australia during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Sweet, Linda; Bradfield, Zoe; Vasilevski, Vidanka; Wynter, Karen; Hauck, Yvonne; Kuliukas, Lesley; Homer, Caroline; Szabo, Rebecca A; Wilson, Alyce N.

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2021.102996

Cited by 50 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In many instances, changes to care have separated women from their families [ 10 ]. Emerging evidence demonstrates that for some women, the stress inflicted by separation has increased experiences of isolation, loneliness, anxiety, depression, and birth trauma [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] ]. New research also documents the inequitable effects of restrictions for those who require greater flexibility and support to engage with care [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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No one asked us: Understanding the lived experiences of midwives providing care in the north west suburbs of Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretive phenomenology

et al. 2022

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Problem Within the Victorian healthcare system, a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated frequent and ongoing changes to midwifery practice. Background Midwives are a vital workforce at risk of burnout, attrition, and trauma. Emotional consequences of the pandemic for midwives remain largely unknown. Aim To understand the lived experiences of midwives providing care in the north west suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria during the pandemic. Methods Purposive and snowball sampling facilitated the recruitment of eight midwives in the north west suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Semi-structured interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, occurring via telephone or video between September and October 2020. Interpretive phenomenology was the methodology used, informed by the writings of Heidegger and Gadamer. Findings Insights gleaned from the data embody a range of understandings. The unknown cost of change and adaptation; waves of the virus; balancing risk; telehealth; personal protective equipment; stripping away support; the privilege of abiding by the restrictions; separation, distress, uncertainty; and, professional strength. Discussion Experiences of midwives during the pandemic are characterised by sensations of voicelessness and professional invisibility. Distinctive differences in personal wellbeing and professional satisfaction exist between midwives working with and without continuity of care. Conclusion This paper voices the lived experiences of Victorian midwives, in the midst of an extended lockdown, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Knowledge obtained from this research provides important understandings for leaders, policymakers, and healthcare systems, in planning a long-term response to the pandemic that supports the wellbeing and longevity of a vital workforce.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

No one asked us: Understanding the lived experiences of midwives providing care in the north west suburbs of Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretive phenomenology

et al. 2022

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“…Restrictions on movement were double-edged for many; lockdowns providing the conditions and excuse to grieve privately, but also restricted family gatherings and access to usual support networks. These restrictions were similarly felt by many parents receiving maternity care, both globally [ 31 , 32 ] and also in the UK [ 5 , 6 ]. Similarities can also be drawn with other work in the study of bereavement, where the pandemic has redrawn social geographies and grounded people in their homes [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Parents also reported seeking support in new, virtual, ways (such as on-line counselling or support networks) which occasionally felt ineffective, especially when access to usual support networks and loved ones was not available. This often rendered bereavement care impersonal, which is again reminiscent of women’s entire journeys through pregnancy and childbirth from what we know from other research conducted during the pandemic [ 5 , 6 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preliminary findings on the experiences of care for parents who suffered perinatal bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic

Silverio

Easter

Storey

et al. 2021

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic poses an unprecedented risk to the global population. Maternity care in the UK was subject to many iterations of guidance on how best to reconfigure services to keep women, their families and babies, and healthcare professionals safe. Parents who experience a pregnancy loss or perinatal death require particular care and support. PUDDLES is an international collaboration investigating the experiences of recently bereaved parents who suffered a late miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death during the global COVID-19 pandemic, in seven countries. In this study, we aim to present early findings from qualitative work undertaken with recently bereaved parents in the United Kingdom about how access to healthcare and support services was negotiated during the pandemic. Methods In-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with parents (N = 24) who had suffered a late miscarriage (n = 5; all mothers), stillbirth (n = 16; 13 mothers, 1 father, 1 joint interview involving both parents), or neonatal death (n = 3; all mothers). Data were analysed using a template analysis with the aim of investigating bereaved parents’ access to services, care, and networks of support, during the pandemic after their bereavement. Results All parents had experience of utilising reconfigured maternity and/or neonatal, and bereavement care services during the pandemic. The themes utilised in the template analysis were: 1) The Shock & Confusion Associated with Necessary Restrictions to Daily Life; 2) Fragmented Care and Far Away Families; 3) Keeping Safe by Staying Away; and 4) Impersonal Care and Support Through a Screen. Results suggest access to maternity, neonatal, and bereavement care services were all significantly reduced, and parents’ experiences were notably affected by service reconfigurations. Conclusions Our findings, whilst preliminary, are important to document now, to help inform care and service provision as the pandemic continues and to provide learning for ongoing and future health system shocks. We draw conclusions on how to enable development of safe and appropriate services during this pandemic and any future health crises, to best support parents who experience a pregnancy loss or whose babies die.

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“…Studies investigating the experiences of pregnant and new mothers during the pandemic have predominately involved women aged 30 years and older with less research focusing on how young mothers and fathers have navigated this period (Kinser et al, 2021;Sweet et al, 2021;Vasilevski et al, 2021;Yan et al, 2020). Evidence has indicated greater levels of psychological distress, anxiety and depression in perinatal women [7], [9], [13], which is of concern, as poor maternal mental health has been shown to be associated with adverse child outcomes, leading to poorer mental and physical health [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Parents’ Experiences of Pregnancy and Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in the United Kingdom

Moltrecht

Dalton

Hanna

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Young parents (aged 16-24 years) in the perinatal period are at an increased risk of poor mental health especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to multiple risk factors including social and economic instability. COVID-19 related restrictions had profound implications for the delivery of perinatal care services and other support structures for young parents. Investigating young parents’ experiences during the pandemic, including their perceived challenges and needs, is important to inform good practice and provide appropriate support for young parents. Qualitative interviews were conducted with young parents (n=21) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom from February – May 2021. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three key themes were identified to describe parents’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents reported specific COVID-19 related anxieties and stressors, including worries around contracting the virus and increased feelings of distress due to uncertainty created by the implications of the pandemic. Parents described feeling alone both at home and during antenatal appointments and highlighted the absence of social support as a major area of concern. Also, parents felt their perinatal care had been disrupted by the pandemic and experienced difficulties accessing care online or over the phone. This study highlights the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young parents, including their mental wellbeing and the perinatal support they were able to access. Insights from this study can inform the support and services offered to families going forward. Specifically, the findings emphasise the importance of (a) supporting both parents during perinatal appointments, (b) providing parents with mental health support early on and (c) finding ways to facilitate communication pathways between professionals and parents.

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Becoming a mother in the ‘new’ social world in Australia during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 50 publications

References 9 publications

No one asked us: Understanding the lived experiences of midwives providing care in the north west suburbs of Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretive phenomenology

No one asked us: Understanding the lived experiences of midwives providing care in the north west suburbs of Melbourne during the COVID-19 pandemic: An interpretive phenomenology

Preliminary findings on the experiences of care for parents who suffered perinatal bereavement during the COVID-19 pandemic

Young Parents’ Experiences of Pregnancy and Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study in the United Kingdom

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