Flowers and thorns in pregnancy: experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To understand the repercussions of COVID-19 on the path of pregnancy. Method: Qualitative, participatory action research (PAR) study, based on Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary. A virtual culture circle was held in October 2020, with the participation of 12 pregnant women, living in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. Results: In the virtual culture circle, pregnant women talked and critically reflected on two generating themes: flowers and thorns in the course of pregnancy. They meant living in the virtual culture circle as spaces for sharing experiences, welcoming and learning, among others. Conclusions: For the participants, pregnancy during the pandemic brought difficulties such as social isolation, absence from work and the university, fears, anxieties, loneliness and insecurities. However, it also improved health care, intensifying self-care and investment in family relationships.

Perinatal mental health and women's lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of the qualitative literature 2020-2021

“…Nine studies collected their data between early and mid-2020, three collected data between October 2020 to April 2021. Four studies were from Australia( Atmuri et al, 2021 ), ( Sweet et al, 2021a ) , ( Sweet et al, 2021b ), ( Chivers et al, 2020 ), three studies were from the UK( Anderson et al, 2021 ), ( John et al, 2021 ),( Riley et al, 2021 ), two from Brazil( Freitas-Jesus et al, 2021 ),( Rossetto et al, 2021 ), the rest were from Ireland( Keating et al, 2021 ), Sweden( Linden et al, 2021 ), and Turkey( Mizrak Sahin and Kabakci, E, 2020 ).…”

“…All included studies found that pregnant women experienced distress when trying to appraise information about COVID-19. Mizrak Sahin and Rossetto described “fear of the unknown”( Mizrak Sahin and Kabakci, E, 2020 ) (p.164) and women's struggles to keep up with rapid changes in information( Rossetto et al, 2021 ). “ we were so scared whether we heard it on social media or on television and talking to friends, you know, everyone was spreading all this hearsay nonsense information… ”( Mizrak Sahin and Kabakci, E, 2020 ) (p.165).…”

“…In the UK and Ireland some women reported more time to rest, and had their partners at home due to social restrictions( Atmuri et al, 2021 ),( Keating et al, 2021 ). This allowed them to enjoy their pregnancy and be closer to family members in a way they may not have otherwise and gave them time to reflect on the future and their family values( Rossetto et al, 2021 ) (p.4). “My family is united and our bonds have grown stronger” .…”

Conducta de Salud y Sentimientos Maternos en la Lactancia Materna Durante la Pandemia de la Covid-19

“…Além da menor pressão para sair de casa e receber visitas, o fato de o parceiro também trabalhar em casa aumentou sentimentos positivos associados ao apoio recebido por eles 47 . Desse modo, a partir do comportamento de saúde ideal adotado pela maioria das entrevistadas, que garantiu a sensação de tranquilidade, além de protegerem a díade mãe-bebê da COVID-19, esses cuidados os protegem de outras doenças que podem ser transmitidas ao recém-nascido 48 .…”

Repercussões da pandemia de COVID-19 na vida de mulheres grávidas brasileiras

“…As reverberações não foram foco dos estudos científicos acerca da gestação e COVID-19 no começo da pandemia, porém frente às inegáveis evidências dessas repercussões nas vidas das mulheres gestantes, vários veículos de comunicação começaram a publicar matérias que tratavam desse assunto e, posteriormente, agências de saúde e colegiados profissionais ligados à assistência obstétrica passaram a destacar a necessidade de voltar a atenção para a temática (Estrela et al, 2020;Rossetto, et al, 2021;Nomura et al, 2021).…”