Lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women: A qualitative study.
Birth companions
Childbirth
Coronavirus
Experience
Maternity care
Midwifery
Pandemic
Partners
Journal
Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
ISSN: 1878-1799
Titre abrégé: Women Birth
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101266131
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
May 2022
May 2022
Historique:
received:
24
06
2021
revised:
23
07
2021
accepted:
24
07
2021
pubmed:
7
8
2021
medline:
6
5
2022
entrez:
6
8
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Several maternity units worldwide have rapidly put in place changes to maternity care pathways and restrictive preventive measures in the attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, resulting in birth companions often not being allowed to be present at birth and throughout hospital admission. The WHO strongly recommends that the emotional, practical, advocacy and health benefits of having a chosen birth companion are respected and accommodated, including women with suspected, likely or confirmed COVID-19. To explore the lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women who gave birth during the first pandemic wave (March and April 2020) in a Northern Italy maternity hospital. A qualitative study using an interpretive phenomenological approach was undertaken. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 partners. Thematic data analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant Ethics Committee prior to commencing the study. The findings include five main themes: (1) emotional impact of the pandemic; (2) partner and parent: a dual role; (3) not being present at birth: a 'denied' experience; (4) returning to 'normality'; (5) feedback to 'pandemic' maternity services and policies. Key elements of good practice to promote positive childbirth experiences in the context of a pandemic were identified: presence of a birth companion; COVID-19 screening tests for support persons; timely, proactive and comprehensive communication of information to support persons; staggered hospital visiting times; follow-up of socio-psychological wellbeing; antenatal and postnatal home visiting; family-centred policies and services.
Sections du résumé
PROBLEM
OBJECTIVE
Several maternity units worldwide have rapidly put in place changes to maternity care pathways and restrictive preventive measures in the attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, resulting in birth companions often not being allowed to be present at birth and throughout hospital admission.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The WHO strongly recommends that the emotional, practical, advocacy and health benefits of having a chosen birth companion are respected and accommodated, including women with suspected, likely or confirmed COVID-19.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To explore the lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women who gave birth during the first pandemic wave (March and April 2020) in a Northern Italy maternity hospital.
METHODS
METHODS
A qualitative study using an interpretive phenomenological approach was undertaken. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 partners. Thematic data analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant Ethics Committee prior to commencing the study.
FINDINGS
RESULTS
The findings include five main themes: (1) emotional impact of the pandemic; (2) partner and parent: a dual role; (3) not being present at birth: a 'denied' experience; (4) returning to 'normality'; (5) feedback to 'pandemic' maternity services and policies.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Key elements of good practice to promote positive childbirth experiences in the context of a pandemic were identified: presence of a birth companion; COVID-19 screening tests for support persons; timely, proactive and comprehensive communication of information to support persons; staggered hospital visiting times; follow-up of socio-psychological wellbeing; antenatal and postnatal home visiting; family-centred policies and services.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34353766
pii: S1871-5192(21)00120-7
doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.07.006
pmc: PMC9051041
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
289-297Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 Australian College of Midwives. All rights reserved.
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