Receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of women's partners and support persons.

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

Receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of women's partners and support persons.

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

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 2021
Issue Date:: 2021-04-27

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Vasilevski, V
dc.contributor.author	Sweet, L
dc.contributor.author	Bradfield, Z
dc.contributor.author	Wilson, AN
dc.contributor.author	Hauck, Y
dc.contributor.author	Kuliukas, L
dc.contributor.author	Homer, CSE
dc.contributor.author	Szabo, RA
dc.contributor.author	Wynter, K
dc.date.accessioned	2021-12-06T04:13:53Z
dc.date.available	2021-04-18
dc.date.available	2021-12-06T04:13:53Z
dc.date.issued	2021-04-27
dc.identifier.citation	Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 2021
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152142
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>In Australia, the provision of maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly altered to limit transmission of the virus. Many hospitals limited face-to-face appointments to only the pregnant woman and restricted the number of support people present during labour, birth, and postnatal visits to one person. How these restrictions were experienced by partners and support persons of childbearing women are unknown.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore the experiences of partners and support persons of women receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic.<h4>Methods</h4>A two-phased qualitative study including an online survey and interviews. Analysis was undertaken using content analysis.<h4>Findings</h4>Partners and support persons experienced a sense of 'missing out' from the pregnancy and maternity care experience because of changes in the provision of care during the pandemic. They reported feelings of isolation, psychological distress, and reduced bonding time with babies. Conflicting information and processes within and across maternity services contributed to feelings of uncertainty and a perceived reduction in the quality of care. Partners and support persons were negatively impacted by restrictions on maternity wards, however they also perceived these to be of benefit to women.<h4>Discussion</h4>Many partners and support persons were negatively impacted by restrictions in maternity services during the pandemic; strategies to ensure their active involvement in maternity care are needed.<h4>Conclusion</h4>This study offers insights from the unique perspective of partners and support people of women receiving maternity care during the pandemic. Policies and processes that exclude partners and support persons need to be reconsidered.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2021.04.012
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of women's partners and support persons.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.location.activity	Netherlands
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	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-12-06T04:13:51Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Background

In Australia, the provision of maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly altered to limit transmission of the virus. Many hospitals limited face-to-face appointments to only the pregnant woman and restricted the number of support people present during labour, birth, and postnatal visits to one person. How these restrictions were experienced by partners and support persons of childbearing women are unknown.

Aim

To explore the experiences of partners and support persons of women receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A two-phased qualitative study including an online survey and interviews. Analysis was undertaken using content analysis.

Findings

Partners and support persons experienced a sense of 'missing out' from the pregnancy and maternity care experience because of changes in the provision of care during the pandemic. They reported feelings of isolation, psychological distress, and reduced bonding time with babies. Conflicting information and processes within and across maternity services contributed to feelings of uncertainty and a perceived reduction in the quality of care. Partners and support persons were negatively impacted by restrictions on maternity wards, however they also perceived these to be of benefit to women.

Discussion

Many partners and support persons were negatively impacted by restrictions in maternity services during the pandemic; strategies to ensure their active involvement in maternity care are needed.

Conclusion

This study offers insights from the unique perspective of partners and support people of women receiving maternity care during the pandemic. Policies and processes that exclude partners and support persons need to be reconsidered.

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

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152142