Maternity services in the UK during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a national survey of modifications to standard care

Abstract

To explore the modifications to maternity services across the UK, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the context of the pandemic guidance issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and NHS England.

A validation of the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale 12-item research short-form for use during global crises with five translations

“…The sample were predominantly white, married women, with university education and professional occupations. There was also a high proportion of assisted vaginal births and caesarean sections, and whilst the cause of this remains unknown, it has been suggested women have delayed seeking care during the pandemic, leading to higher incidence rates of obstetric complications [50]. The psychometric properties of the PSAS-RSF-C may, therefore, vary in other populations and it should be subject to replication studies using diverse samples.…”

Effect of COVID-19 on maternal and neonatal services

“…To assess this, information is needed on any differences in antenatal screening during the pandemic and lockdown in particular, something that was preserved in 85% of sites in the UK. 4 …”

Authors' reply re: Maternity services in the UK during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a national survey of modifications to standard care

“…We wish to thank Yoong et al. for their interest in our report on modifications to standard maternity care in the UK surveyed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, 1 and for their subsequent letter 2 . We had reported the extent to which maternity services had been modified in the UK, in response to a need to protect staff and service users from the risk of infection with SARS‐CoV‐2, but also in response to staff shortages caused by redeployment and periods of staff self‐isolation.…”