Factors affecting the mental health of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative interview study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

People using maternity services in the United Kingdom (UK) have faced significant changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing regulations. We focused on the experiences of pregnant women using UK maternity services during the pandemic and the impact of social distancing rules on their mental health and wellbeing.

Methods

We conducted 23 qualitative semi-structured interviews from June 2020 to August 2021, with women from across the UK who experienced a pregnancy during the pandemic. Nineteen participants in the study carried their pregnancy to term and four had experienced a miscarriage during the pandemic. Interviews took place remotely over video or telephone call, discussing topics such as mental health during pregnancy and use of UK mater

SUBMITTER: McKinlay AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9005019 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature