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Postpartum women's psychological experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a modified recurrent cross-sectional thematic analysis.
Jackson, Leanne; De Pascalis, Leonardo; Harrold, Joanne A; Fallon, Victoria; Silverio, Sergio A.
  • Jackson L; Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, UK. Leanne.Jackson@liverpool.ac.uk.
  • De Pascalis L; Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, UK.
  • Harrold JA; Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, UK.
  • Fallon V; Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, UK.
  • Silverio SA; Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth ; 21(1): 625, 2021 Sep 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1923520
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

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'.

METHODS:

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.

RESULTS:

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.

CONCLUSION:

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.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Social Support / Burnout, Psychological / Psychological Distress / COVID-19 / Mothers Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans Language: English Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Journal subject: Obstetrics Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12884-021-04071-2

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Social Support / Burnout, Psychological / Psychological Distress / COVID-19 / Mothers Type of study: Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans Language: English Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Journal subject: Obstetrics Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12884-021-04071-2