Navigating uncertainty alone: A grounded theory analysis of women's psycho-social experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in London.

Montgomery, E; De Backer, K; Easter, A; Magee, LA; Sandall, J; Silverio, SA

Navigating uncertainty alone: A grounded theory analysis of women's psycho-social experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in London.

Montgomery, E De Backer, K Easter, A Magee, LA Sandall, J

Silverio, SA

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Women Birth, 2022, pp. S1871-5192(22)00083-X
Issue Date:: 2022-05-17

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Montgomery, E
dc.contributor.author	De Backer, K
dc.contributor.author	Easter, A
dc.contributor.author	Magee, LA
dc.contributor.author	Sandall, J https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2000-743X
dc.contributor.author	Silverio, SA
dc.date.accessioned	2022-12-01T04:04:56Z
dc.date.available	2022-05-05
dc.date.available	2022-12-01T04:04:56Z
dc.date.issued	2022-05-17
dc.identifier.citation	Women Birth, 2022, pp. S1871-5192(22)00083-X
dc.identifier.issn	1871-5192
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1799
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163999
dc.description.abstract	PROBLEM: Maternity care underwent substantial reconfiguration in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: COVID-19 posed an unprecedented public health crisis, risking population health and causing a significant health system shock. AIM: To explore the psycho-social experiences of women who received maternity care and gave birth in South London during the first 'lockdown'. METHODS: We recruited women (N = 23) to semi-structured interviews, conducted virtually. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed by hand. A Classical Grounded Theory Analysis was followed including line-by-line coding, focused coding, development of super-categories followed by themes, and finally the generation of a theory. FINDINGS: Iterative and inductive analysis generated six emergent themes, sorted into three dyadic pairs: 1 & 2: Lack of relational care vs. Good practice persisting during the pandemic; 3 & 4: Denying the embodied experience of pregnancy and birth vs. Trying to keep everyone safe; and 5 & 6: Removed from support network vs. Importance of being at home as a family. Together, these themes interact to form the theory: 'Navigating uncertainty alone'. DISCUSSION: Women's pregnancy and childbirth journeys during the pandemic were reported as having positive and negative experiences which would counteract one-another. Lack of relational care, denial of embodied experiences, and removal from support networks were counterbalanced by good practice which persisted, understanding staff were trying to keep everyone safe, and renewed importance in the family unit. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy can be an uncertain time for women. This was compounded by having to navigate their maternity journey alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Women Birth
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.wombi.2022.05.002
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	11 Medical and Health Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine
dc.title	Navigating uncertainty alone: A grounded theory analysis of women's psycho-social experiences of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic in London.
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/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-12-01T04:04:55Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online

Abstract:

PROBLEM: Maternity care underwent substantial reconfiguration in the United Kingdom during the COVID-19 pandemic. BACKGROUND: COVID-19 posed an unprecedented public health crisis, risking population health and causing a significant health system shock. AIM: To explore the psycho-social experiences of women who received maternity care and gave birth in South London during the first 'lockdown'. METHODS: We recruited women (N = 23) to semi-structured interviews, conducted virtually. Data were recorded, transcribed, and analysed by hand. A Classical Grounded Theory Analysis was followed including line-by-line coding, focused coding, development of super-categories followed by themes, and finally the generation of a theory. FINDINGS: Iterative and inductive analysis generated six emergent themes, sorted into three dyadic pairs: 1 & 2: Lack of relational care vs. Good practice persisting during the pandemic; 3 & 4: Denying the embodied experience of pregnancy and birth vs. Trying to keep everyone safe; and 5 & 6: Removed from support network vs. Importance of being at home as a family. Together, these themes interact to form the theory: 'Navigating uncertainty alone'. DISCUSSION: Women's pregnancy and childbirth journeys during the pandemic were reported as having positive and negative experiences which would counteract one-another. Lack of relational care, denial of embodied experiences, and removal from support networks were counterbalanced by good practice which persisted, understanding staff were trying to keep everyone safe, and renewed importance in the family unit. CONCLUSION: Pregnancy can be an uncertain time for women. This was compounded by having to navigate their maternity journey alone during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/163999