Silverio, Sergio A ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471, De Backer, Kaat, Easter, Abigail, von Dadelszen, Peter, Magee, Laura A and Sandall, Jane
(2021)
Women's experiences of maternity service reconfiguration during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative investigation.
MIDWIFERY, 102.
103116-.
Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>To explore women's experiences of maternity service reconfiguration during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.<h4>Design</h4>Qualitative interview study.<h4>Setting</h4>South London, United Kingdom.<h4>Participants</h4>Women (N=23) who gave birth between March and August 2020 in one of the ten South London maternity hospitals.<h4>Methods</h4>Semi-structured interviews were conducted (N=23), via video-conferencing software. Transcribed interviews were analysed 'by hand' using Microsoft Word. Template analysis was selected to code, analyse, and interpret data, according to the findings of a recently-published national survey of maternity service reconfiguration across the UK in response to COVID-19.<h4>Findings</h4>Three main themes emerged through analysis: (i) Disruption to In-Person Care and Increased Virtual Care Provision, (ii) Changes to Labour and Birth Preferences and Plans, (iii) Advice for Navigating Maternity Services During a Pandemic.<h4>Key conclusions</h4>Women reported mixed views on the reduction in scheduled in-person appointments. The increase in remote care, especially via telephone, was not well endorsed by women. Furthermore, women reported an under-reliance on healthcare professionals for support, rather turning to family.<h4>Implications for practice</h4>We provide insight into the experiences of women who received antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings should inform healthcare policy to build back better maternity care services after the pandemic.
Item Type: | Article |
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Uncontrolled Keywords: | Maternity Care, COVID-19, Service Delivery, Women's Experiences, Qualitative Research |
Divisions: | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
Date Deposited: | 15 Dec 2021 10:43 |
Last Modified: | 18 Jan 2023 21:19 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103116 |
Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103116 |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3145397 |