Postpartum women's psychological experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a modified recurrent cross-sectional thematic analysis

Jackson, Leanne, De Pascalis, Leonardo ORCID: 0000-0002-9150-3468, Harrold, Joanne A ORCID: 0000-0002-0899-4586, Fallon, Victoria ORCID: 0000-0002-7350-2568 and Silverio, Sergio A ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471 (2021) Postpartum women's psychological experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a modified recurrent cross-sectional thematic analysis. BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH, 21 (1). 625-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04071-2

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>COVID-19 has placed additional stressors on mothers during an already vulnerable lifecourse transition. Initial social distancing restrictions (Timepoint 1; T1) and initial changes to those social distancing restrictions (Timepoint 2; T2) have disrupted postpartum access to practical and emotional support. This qualitative study explores the postpartum psychological experiences of UK women during different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated 'lockdowns'.<h4>Methods</h4>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women, approximately 30 days after initial social distancing guidelines were imposed in the UK (22 April 2020). A separate 12 women were interviewed approximately 30 days after the initial easing of social distancing restrictions (10 June 2020). Data were transcribed verbatim, uploaded into NVivo for management and analysis, which followed a recurrent cross-sectional approach to thematic analysis.<h4>Results</h4>Two main themes were identified for T1: 'Motherhood is Much Like Lockdown' and 'A Self-Contained Family Unit'. Each main T1 theme contained two sub-themes. Two main themes were also identified for T2: 'Incongruously Held Views of COVID-19' and 'Mothering Amidst the Pandemic'. Each main T2 theme contained three sub-themes. Comparisons between data gathered at each timepoint identified increased emotional distress over time. Current findings call for the improvement of postpartum care by improving accessibility to social support, and prioritising the re-opening of schools, and face-to-face healthcare appointments and visitation.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Social distancing restrictions associated with COVID-19 have had a cumulative, negative effect on postpartum mental health. Recommendations such as: Allowing mothers to 'bubble' with a primary support provider even at their healthcare appointments; allowing one support partner to attend all necessary healthcare appointments; and providing tailored informational resources, may help to support postpartum emotional wellbeing during this, and similar health crises in the future.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	COVID-19, Postnatal care, Burnout, psychological, Psychosocial support systems, Mental health services, Psychological distress
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	20 Sep 2021 08:58
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 21:28
DOI:	10.1186/s12884-021-04071-2
Open Access URL:	https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/a...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3137679