Experiences of maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic in the North of England
Tomasina Stacey, Zoë Darwin, Alice Keely, Anna Smith, Dáša Farmer, Kate Heighway
Abstract
Background During 2020, UK maternity services made changes to service delivery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aims To explore service users' and their partners' experiences of maternity services in the North of England during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Respondents (n=606) completed a co-produced survey during August 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Findings Five major categories were identified: valuing support from health professionals, feeling lost in and let down by the system, the impact of restrictions to partners and others, virtual contact is not the same as in-person contact, and the need for emotional and psychological wellbeing support. Conclusion The changes implemented may have compromised mental health and wellbeing in a critical period of vulnerability. Bringing stakeholders together can maximise learning from the emergency measures, to better inform future service provision. Work is needed to better hear from minoritised groups and ensure they are not further marginalised by changes.