Women's experiences of maternity service reconfiguration during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative investigation

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-. ISSN 0266-6138, 1532-3099

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Abstract

Objective: To explore women's experiences of maternity service reconfiguration during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic. Design: Qualitative interview study. Setting: South London, United Kingdom. Participants: Women (N=23) who gave birth between March and August 2020 in one of the ten South London maternity hospitals. Methods: 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. Findings: 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. Key Conclusions: 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. Implications for Practice: 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
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Maternity Care, COVID-19, Service Delivery, Women's Experiences, Qualitative Research
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	15 Dec 2021 10:43
Last Modified:	22 May 2026 16:38
DOI:	10.1016/j.midw.2021.103116
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103116
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3145397
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