Australian women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional national survey.

Wilson, AN; Sweet, L; Vasilevski, V; Hauck, Y; Wynter, K; Kuliukas, L; Szabo, RA; Homer, CSE; Bradfield, Z

Australian women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional national survey.

Wilson, AN Sweet, L Vasilevski, V Hauck, Y Wynter, K Kuliukas, L Szabo, RA Homer, CSE Bradfield, Z

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Publisher:: WILEY
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-06-27

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wilson, AN
dc.contributor.author	Sweet, L
dc.contributor.author	Vasilevski, V
dc.contributor.author	Hauck, Y
dc.contributor.author	Wynter, K
dc.contributor.author	Kuliukas, L
dc.contributor.author	Szabo, RA
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE
dc.contributor.author	Bradfield, Z
dc.date.accessioned	2021-09-09T06:01:56Z
dc.date.available	2021-06-16
dc.date.available	2021-09-09T06:01:56Z
dc.date.issued	2021-06-27
dc.identifier.citation	Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 2021
dc.identifier.issn	0730-7659
dc.identifier.issn	1523-536X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150434
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has led to multiple changes in maternity services worldwide. Systems rapidly adapted to meet public health requirements aimed at preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including quarantine procedures, travel restrictions, border closures, physical distancing and "stay-at-home" orders. Although these changes have impacted all stakeholders in maternity services, arguably the women at the center of this care have been most affected. This study aimed to explore women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.<h4>Methods</h4>A national cross-sectional online survey, including fixed choice and open-ended questions, was conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia; pregnant and postnatal women were recruited through social media networks.<h4>Results</h4>The survey was completed by 3364 women. Women felt distressed and alone due to rapid changes to their maternity care. Limited face-to-face contact with health practitioners and altered models of care often required women to accommodate significant changes and to coordinate their own care. Women felt that they were often "doing it alone," due to public health restrictions on support people and visitors, both within and outside health services. Women described some benefits of visitor restrictions, such as, more time for rest, breastfeeding establishment, and bonding with their baby.<h4>Conclusions</h4>This large nationwide Australian study provides unique data on women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons learned provide an opportunity to rebuild and reshape the maternity sector to best meet the needs of women and their families during current and future public health crises.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	WILEY
dc.relation.ispartof	Birth (Berkeley, Calif.)
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/birt.12569
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Australian women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional national survey.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	United States
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-09-09T06:01:55Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to multiple changes in maternity services worldwide. Systems rapidly adapted to meet public health requirements aimed at preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, including quarantine procedures, travel restrictions, border closures, physical distancing and "stay-at-home" orders. Although these changes have impacted all stakeholders in maternity services, arguably the women at the center of this care have been most affected. This study aimed to explore women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.

Methods

A national cross-sectional online survey, including fixed choice and open-ended questions, was conducted during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia; pregnant and postnatal women were recruited through social media networks.

Results

The survey was completed by 3364 women. Women felt distressed and alone due to rapid changes to their maternity care. Limited face-to-face contact with health practitioners and altered models of care often required women to accommodate significant changes and to coordinate their own care. Women felt that they were often "doing it alone," due to public health restrictions on support people and visitors, both within and outside health services. Women described some benefits of visitor restrictions, such as, more time for rest, breastfeeding establishment, and bonding with their baby.

Conclusions

This large nationwide Australian study provides unique data on women's experiences of receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lessons learned provide an opportunity to rebuild and reshape the maternity sector to best meet the needs of women and their families during current and future public health crises.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/150434