Perinatal Experiences Research Articles

Women's Birth Beliefs During Pregnancy and Postpartum in the Netherlands: A Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study.

Women and care providers increasingly regard childbirth as a medical process, resulting in high use of medical interventions, which could negatively affect a woman's childbirth experience. Women's birth beliefs may be key to understanding the decisions they make and the acceptance of medical interventions in childbirth. In this study we explore women's beliefs about birth as a natural and medical process and the factors that are associated with women's birth beliefs. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of women living in the Netherlands asking them about their experiences during pregnancy and childbirth, including their beliefs about birth as a natural and medical process. A total of 3494 women were included in this study. Mean scores of natural birth beliefs ranged between 3.73 and 4.01 points, and medical birth belief scores ranged between 2.92 and 3.12 points. There were significant but very small changes between prenatal and postnatal birth beliefs. Regression analyses showed that (previous) childbirth experiences were the most consistent predictor of women's birth beliefs. Women's high scores on natural birth beliefs and lower scores on medical birth beliefs correspond with the philosophy of Dutch perinatal care that considers pregnancy and childbirth to be natural processes. Perinatal care providers must be aware of women's birth beliefs and recognize that they as professionals influence women's birth beliefs. They make an important contribution to women's perinatal experiences, which affects both women's natural and medical birth beliefs.

Paternal Perinatal Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Framework Analysis of the Reddit Forum Predaddit.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, new parents were disproportionately affected by public health restrictions changing service accessibility and increasing stressors. However, minimal research has examined pandemic-related stressors and experiences of perinatal fathers in naturalistic anonymous settings. An important and novel way parents seek connection and information is through online forums, which increased during COVID-19. The current study qualitatively analyzed the experiences of perinatal fathers from September to December 2020 through the Framework Analytic Approach to identify unmet support needs during COVID-19 using the online forum predaddit on reddit. Five main themes in the thematic framework included forum use, COVID-19, psychosocial distress, family functioning, and child health and development, each with related subthemes. Findings highlight the utility of predaddit as a source of information for, and interactions of, fathers to inform mental health services. Overall, fathers used the forum to engage with other fathers during a time of social isolation and for support during the transition to parenthood. This manuscript highlights the unmet support needs of fathers during the perinatal period and the importance of including fathers in perinatal care, implementing routine perinatal mood screening for both parents, and developing programs to support fathers during this transition to promote family wellbeing.

“It was just one moment that I felt like I was being judged”: Pregnant and postpartum black Women's experiences of personal and group-based racism during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundRacial inequities in maternal and child health outcomes persist: Black women and birthing people experience higher rates of adverse outcomes than their white counterparts. Similar inequities are seen in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mortality rates. In response, we sought to explore the intersections of racism and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the daily lives and perinatal care experiences of Black birthing people. MethodsWe used an intrinsic case study approach grounded in an intersectional lens to collect stories from Black pregnant and postpartum people residing in Fresno County (July–September 2020). All interviews were conducted on Zoom without video and were audio recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to group codes into larger themes. ResultsOf the 34 participants included in this analysis, 76.5% identified as Black only, and 23.5% identified as multiracial including Black. Their mean age was 27.2 years [SD, 5.8]. Nearly half (47%) reported being married or living with their partner; all were eligible for Medi-Cal insurance. Interview times ranged from 23 to 96 min. Five themes emerged: (1) Tensions about Heightened Exposure of Black Lives Matter Movement during the pandemic; (2) Fear for Black Son's Safety; (3) Lack of Communication from Health Care Professionals; (4) Disrespect from Health Care Professionals; and (5) Misunderstood or Judged by Health Care Professionals. Participants stressed that the Black Lives Matter Movement is necessary and highlighted that society views their Black sons as a threat. They also reported experiencing unfair treatment and harassment while seeking perinatal care. ConclusionsBlack women and birthing people shared that exposure to racism has heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing their levels of stress and anxiety. Understanding how racism impacts Black birthing people's lives and care experiences is critical to reforming the police force and revising enhanced prenatal care models to better address their needs.

Nurses' and midwives' perceptions and strategies to cope with perinatal death situations: A systematic literature review.

The aim of this paper is to describe the strategies used by nurses and midwives to cope with experiences of dealing with perinatal death and maintain their satisfaction at work. Systematic literature review, in accordance with the PRISMA Declaration. (2000-2021) Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, CINALH and Dialnet, for articles in English and Spanish from the period between January 2000 and March 2021. The outcome of the review was the perceptions of nurses and midwives who have cared for people in a situation of perinatal loss. Thirteen studies were identified that evaluated the attitudes, experiences and needs of these healthcare professionals. The combined size of all samples was 2196 participants. The negative effects on these professionals' satisfaction with their situation at work could be mitigated by covering their needs for knowledge, experience, and emotional and technical skills to deal with such events. As potential protective factors against dissatisfaction in nurses and midwives during perinatal death experiences, we identified older age and experience in perinatal care and coping strategies based on communicating one's feelings to peers, empathetic listening to the families cared for, training and institutional support. No Patient or Public Contribution.

Birth includes us: Development of a community-led survey to capture experiences of pregnancy care among LGBTQ2S+ families.

Limited research captures the intersectional and nuanced experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, and other sexual and gender-minoritized (LGBTQ2S+) people when accessing perinatal care services, including care for pregnancy, birth, abortion, and/or pregnancy loss. We describe the participatory research methods used to develop the Birth Includes Us survey, an online survey study to capture experiences of respectful perinatal care for LGBTQ2S+ individuals. From 2019 to 2021, our research team in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder Community Steering Council identified, adapted, and/or designed survey items which were reviewed and then content validated by community members with lived experience. The final survey instrument spans the perinatal care experience, from preconception to early parenthood, and includes items to capture experiences of care across different pregnancy roles (eg, pregnant person, partner/co-parent, intended parent using surrogacy) and pregnancy outcomes (eg, live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, and abortion). Three validated measures of respectful perinatal care are included, as well as measures to assess experiences of racism, discrimination, and bias across intersections of identity. By centering diverse perspectives in the review process, the Birth Includes Us instrument is the first survey to assess the range of experiences within LGBTQ2S+ communities. This instrument is ready for implementation in studies that seek to examine geographic and identity-based perinatal health outcomes and care experiences among LGBTQ2S+ people.

The Perinatal Experience of Black Birthing People in Quebec

Aim/Purpose: Determine if Black birthing people who delivered their babies in Quebec face more complications, death, and overall worse perinatal experiences than their White counterparts. Background: With the recent surge of research on American Black maternal health demonstrating apparent discrepancies between the rates of Maternal morbidity and mortality, Canada’s lack of interest in this potential issue is more salient than ever. Unlike its southern neighbor, Canada, does not have a concise approach to data collection on maternal health with respect to the birthing parents’ ethnicity or race. Methodology: Qualitative research, including a literature review and the interview of a key informant. The literature review is an analysis of the currently available research on Black maternal health and experience in North America, while the interview tackles the issue on a provincial level. In this 30-minute interview, a medical student and doula answers 15 questions pertaining to the current perinatal conditions of Black birthing people in Quebec. Findings: The perinatal experience of Black birthing people in Quebec is influenced by many factors that are often out of the control of these patients. (1) Having access to Black physicians, (2) having a healthy social support system, (3) having access to complimentary medical resources, (4) the lack of empathy demonstrated by healthcare professionals, (5) determinants of health, and (6) overall culturally unsafe practices are all elements of the perinatal experience that can negatively affect Black birthing parents. Impact on Society: This research could act as a steppingstone for further exhaustive research addressing the Black maternal experience in Quebec. In creating this study, we seek to open the door for more conversations not only on an academic level but hopefully on a juristic level.

Postpartum people's experiences of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic during the first year of the pandemic: A descriptive qualitative study.

Most evidence on the impact of pandemic on perinatal population's experiences has reported such effects in a portion of the pandemic. The aim of this study was to understand the postpartum people's experiences of and responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic during the first year and to identify their health care needs. This is a descriptive qualitative study. This study was conducted in British Columbia, Canada, between March 2020 and April 2021. Participants (N = 268) were at 4 months postpartum and were recruited as part of the Pregnancy Specific Anxiety Tool study through prenatal care clinics and classes, community laboratory services and social media. Qualitative data were obtained using six online open-ended questions and were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings were grouped under five central themes: protecting baby (with three categories including hypervigilance, constant decision-making to find balance and developmental issues); psychological adjustments (with three categories including coping, anxiety and grief); experience of isolation and lack/loss of support (with two categories including isolation and loss of expected support); unexpected interruptions and life events (with four categories including interrupted maternity leave, unexpected changes/life events, positive impacts and interruption in health care services); and perceived postpartum care needs (with five categories including in-person visits, allowing support persons, providing information/education/support groups, mental health and social support and pro-active check-ins). Several impacts of the pandemic persisted throughout the first year, particularly isolation and lack of support. These findings can inform responsive health care services to address the emerging needs of postpartum people throughout the pandemic.

Przemoc prenatalna w obrazie klinicznym pregoreksji

Prenatal abuse, its causes and consequences, are an important focus of prenatal psychology, a discipline that since the 1920s has occupied scholars studying the earliest stage of human psychological development. The term is used to describe all behavior of the mother towards the child, i.e. her various actions or omissions that negatively affect the child’s health, physical and psychosocial development and life. They can be intentional and deliberate but can also result from unintentional actions. The sources of prenatal abuse are manifold, one of which may be the mother’s illness, for example pregorexia, which is anorexia nervosa in pregnant women. These mothers engage in a range of pathological behaviors that undermine the welfare of their developing children. This is evidenced by the numerous negative consequences, which are manifestations of actions that damage their health and, in some cases, even destroy their lives. Their presence prompts a search for solutions that can prevent or help reduce this phenomenon. There are certain possibilities in the dissemination of correct knowledge about pregorexia and its consequences, adequate social support for pregnant mothers, as well as teaching women parental responsibility and the appropriate attitude towards their prenatal children.

Mental health symptom changes in pregnant individuals across the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective longitudinal study

BackgroundInitial studies found that mental health symptoms increased in pregnant and postpartum individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Less research has focused on if these putative increases persist over time and what factors influence these changes. We examined the longitudinal change in mental health symptoms in pregnant and postpartum individuals and investigated moderation by maternal emotion dysregulation and the incidence of coronavirus.MethodsPregnant and postpartum individuals at the University of Utah were invited to join the COVID-19 and Perinatal Experiences (COPE) Study. Beginning on April 23, 2020 participants were sent a survey comprised of demographics, medical and social history, pregnancy information and self-assessments (Time 1). Participants were contacted 90 days later and invited to participate in a follow-up questionnaire (Time 2). Daily coronavirus case counts were accessed from the state of Utah and a 7-day moving average calculated. Within-subject change in mental health symptom scores, as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory, was calculated. Linear mixed effects regression modeling adjusted for history of substance abuse and mental health disorders.Results270 individuals responded between April 23rd, 2020 and July 15th, 2021. Mental health symptom scores improved by 1.36 points (0.7-2.0 p < 0.001). The decrease in mental health symptoms was not moderated by the prevalence of COVID-19 cases (p = 0.19) but was moderated by emotion dysregulation (p = 0.001) as defined by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale short form. Participants with higher emotion dysregulation also had higher mental health symptom scores.ConclusionMental health symptoms improved over the course of the pandemic in the same pregnant or postpartum participant. Our findings do not negate the importance of mental health care during the pandemic. Rather, we believe this identifies some aspect of resiliency and adaptability. Examining emotion dysregulation, or asking about a history of mental health, may be helpful in identifying persons at higher risk of heightened responses to stressors.

Exploring the psychosocial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s perinatal experiences and wellbeing: A qualitative study

ObjectiveWhile many studies have investigated the clinical impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on pregnant women’s mental health, little attention has been paid to the exploration of women’s experiences during the perinatal period from a psychosocial perspective in the Italian context. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the psychosocial changes associated with the pandemic in the perinatal context. MethodsTwenty-one Italian women who gave birth between March and November 2020 took part in this research by participating in semi-structured interviews, exploring their childbirth experiences. Our data were analysed using a Grounded Theory approach. ResultsOur findings revealed the enhanced importance of social support as a protective factor against uncertainties, which strongly characterised all phases of the perinatal period during the pandemic. Such uncertainties were mainly linked to the discontinuity in intrapartum care, as well as to concerns of being infected with Covid-19 combined with other pregnancy-specific worries. The main sources of social support were represented by loved ones – most of all partners – along with health care staff and peer networks. ConclusionsOur results suggest the importance of implementing evidence-based policies and interventions to improve women’s wellbeing in the perinatal period during the pandemic, as well as of guaranteeing intrapartum care continuity and the presence of social support.

Impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the postpartum experience of women living in Eastern Canada during the early pandemic period: A cross-sectional study.

To (1) compare changes in parenting self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression in Canadian women before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic; (2) explore how women with a newborn felt during the pandemic; (3) explore ways that women coped with challenges faced. A cross-sectional design was used. Prior to the pandemic, an online survey was conducted with women who an infant 6 months old or less in one of the three Eastern Canadian Maritime provinces. A similar survey was conducted during the pandemic in mid-2020. Pre-COVID, 561 women completed the survey, and 331 women during the pandemic. There were no significant differences in parenting self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and depression between the cohorts. Difficulties that women reported because of COVID-19 restrictions included lack of support from family and friends, fear of COVID-19 exposure, feeling isolated and uncertain, negative impact on perinatal care experience, and hospital restrictions. Having support from partners and families, in-person/virtual support, as well as engaging in self-care and the low prevalence of COVID-19 during the summer of 2020 helped women cope. Women identified challenges and negative impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although no differences in psychosocial outcomes were found. Consideration of public health policy during the postpartum period for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is needed. While there were no significant differences in psychosocial outcomes, there were still challenges and negative impacts that women identified.

Positive postpartum well-being: What works for women.

Women's experiences of pregnancy, birth and motherhood extend beyond healthcare provision and the immediate postpartum. Women's social, cultural and political environments shape the positive or negative effects of their experiences through this transition. However, there is limited research concerning the factors that women identify as being protective or promotive of maternal well-being in the perinatal period and motherhood transition. To explore women's views on the factors within healthcare, social, cultural, organizational, environmental and political domains that do or can work well in creating positive perinatal experiences. A qualitative descriptive study with embedded public and participant involvement (PPI). Participants were 24 women who were maternity care service users giving birth in Ireland. Three themes were developed. The first theme, 'tone of care', related to women's interactions with and attitudes of healthcare professionals in setting the tone for the care they experienced. The second theme, 'postpartum presence and support', concerned the professional postpartum supports and services that women found beneficial in the motherhood transition. The final theme, 'flexibility for new families' addresses social and organizational issues around parents returning to paid employment. Women suggested multiple avenues for promoting positive perinatal experiences for women giving birth in Ireland, which may be implemented at healthcare and policy levels. Women identified that maternal health educationfocuses on supporting informed decision-making processes as a positive and worry-alleviating resource. Additionally, women valued being met by healthcare professionals who regard women as the decision makers in their care experience. Exchanges in which healthcare professionals validate and encourage women in their mothering role and actively involve their partners as caregiversleft lasting positive impressions. Extended and professional postpartum support was a common issue, and phone lines or drop-in clinics were suggested as invaluable and affirming assets where women could access personalized support with healthcare professionals who had the knowledge and skills to genuinely approach women's concerns. Social and organizational considerations involved supporting parents to balance their responsibilities as new or growing families in the return to work. Maternity care service users were involved in the interviews and manuscript preparation.

COVID-19 and Perinatal Stress Experience - a Study Conducted as Part of the COVGEN Initiative.

Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic, stress and anxiety in the population increased due to concerns about people's own health and that of their relatives, as well as changes in everyday life due to measures taken to reduce the infection rate. Pregnant women are particularly stressed. The present study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affects the stress experience and mental health of pregnant women and mothers of newborns and how care could be optimized. Methods As part of the international COVGEN initiative ( https://www.covgen.org ) to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the peripartum period, pregnant and postpartum women were asked about their experience with stress using the COPE-IS (Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences - Impact Survey) questionnaire developed for this purpose and translated from the English. In addition, demographic data, pre-existing diseases, pregnancy complications and the care situation were recorded. The questionnaire was either administered as hardcopy to inpatients at the Department of Women's Health, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany, or online. All pregnant women and mothers who were pregnant or had given birth after the official start of the COVID-19 pandemic (11 March 2020) were eligible to participate. Results Complete data sets of n=156 pregnant women and n=221 postpartum women were available for evaluation. The general stress level assessed with the COPE-IS was significantly increased by the COVID-19 pandemic in both, pregnant and postpartum women, with pre-existing conditions such as respiratory diseases and pregnancy-related diseases like gestational diabetes adding to the stress. The subjectively perceived quality of care/support during pregnancy also influenced the stress level. Conclusions Fears of a COVID-19 infection and changes in preventive and aftercare services were a burden for the women surveyed. Intensified care during pregnancy and puerperium could help to stabilize the mental situation and reduce stress.

Perinatal experiences of resettled Syrian migrant women in Greece-a qualitative study

Background: Many women report that their privacy in hospitals was not respected and that their needs were totally ignored. A woman’s perinatal experience can be determinant for a woman’s life, introducing her into maternity either in a gentle way or causing her trauma. These findings can be used to improve health services in Greece. Aim: To identify the positive and negative life experiences of refugee women giving birth in Greece. Method: A qualitative interpretive design was used. Data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 14 Syrian women. The majority were refugees that gave birth in Greece and only four with birthing experience in both Syria and Greece. Data were detailed interpreted and analyzed thematically. Results: “Numerous people were getting in and out of the room” emerged as one of the dominant themes, together with the communication difficulty due to the lack of translators. Women used the phrase “The main problem was the language’’ together with “I couldn’t ask for anything’’. Last but not least, women stated that the staff had racist behavior ‘’ Some of them, weren’t nice to me, they were racists’’. Another woman described “They made me feel inferior wearing my handkerchief’’. In addition to that, from this statement, it emerges that their religion had not been respected. Conclusion: This study discusses the experiences that Syrian migrant women have to go through in public hospitals, due to lack of privacy during their stay, communication problems as well as staff’s racist behavior. Overall, all these reasons lead to a traumatic experience and a degraded healthcare system.

Perinatal experiences of resettled Syrian migrant women in Greece-a qualitative study

Perinatal experiences of resettled Syrian migrant women in Greece-a qualitative study

Navigating Pregnancy and the Healthcare System during COVID-19: A Qualitative Study with Perinatal Women of Color.

Objective: To address health disparities in the perinatal period (i.e., during pregnancy and through one year after birth) by exploring the intersectional experiences of perinatal Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) women during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, participants were asked if and how COVID-19 had impacted their experiences of receiving healthcare, whether they had faced any challenges during this time, how they had navigated these challenges, and what recommendations they had for improving perinatal healthcare. Methods: Between November 2021 and March 2022 our team conducted eight virtual focus groups comprising perinatal BIPOC women. A semi-structured interview protocol was used, and interviews were voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three major themes common in BIPOC perinatal healthcare experiences during COVID-19 were generated through engaging in reflexive thematic analysis: (1) an overwhelming lack of support from providers, (2) experiences of blame and shame, and (3) difficulties navigating institutional policies that were unclear or ever-changing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations from participants included greater empathic communication from providers in the face of uncertainty during COVID-19, greater access to information and guidance for caring for themselves and their babies, and an overall request for greater compassion while navigating an exciting and busy time. Relevance: These findings have implications for trauma-informed and inclusive perinatal care that can reduce the impacts of systemic inequalities for perinatal BIPOC women. This study offers a discussion of implications for future training for maternal health providers and implications for community-based programs.

The Relationship between Healthcare Experience and Perinatal Depression during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The prevalence of peripartum depression (PPD) has increased substantially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce the probability of contagion, hospitals had to adapt their care protocols, including the care of women in the perinatal period. Method: A cross-sectional study was used in a total sample of 3,356 women, 1,402 in the prenatal period and 1,954 in the postnatal period. They completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms and the Spanish version of the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences to assess health experience. Results: The results showed that feeling very well supported by a health professional was associated with a lower risk of PPD. On the other hand, believing it very important to have access to a mental health professional and being concerned about changes in infant care due to COVID-19 were associated with a higher risk of PPD. Conclusion: The results showed the relationship between health experience and the risk of depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of considering the psychological aspects in the development of measures and protocols for perinatal care.

Autistic People's Perinatal Experiences I: A Survey of Pregnancy Experiences.

Qualitative studies of autistic people's pregnancy experiences have indicated sensory and communication related barriers to accessing adequate prenatal healthcare. However, quantitative work on the topic is scarce. This online survey study explored pregnancy experiences among 417 autistic and 524 non-autistic people. Compared with non-autistic people, autistic people reported heightened sensory and physical experiences during pregnancy and were more likely to experience prenatal depression and anxiety. Autistic people experienced lower satisfaction with prenatal healthcare, including having lower perceptions of their relationships with healthcare professionals and greater difficulties with antenatal classes. This study identifies key adjustments that can be made to prenatal healthcare, including sensory and communication adjustments. The findings highlight the need for greater autism understanding and awareness among professionals.

Immigrant women looking for information about the perinatal period on digital media: A qualitative study

BackgroundSmartphones’ development has allowed continuous access to information about the perinatal period on digital media. Knowing about immigrant women’s experience on digital media may help health and social care professionals to fine-tune their care. AimOur primary aim is to analyse how immigrant women experience information about the perinatal period on digital media. Our secondary aim is to discuss how health and social care professionals perceive the experiences of these women. MethodsA qualitative study conducted in Switzerland encompassing semi-directed interviews with immigrant women (n = 20), health and social care professionals (n = 30) and interpreters (n = 12) completed with ethnographic observations and interviews. Findings and discussionImmigrant women form a diverse social group. They consequently use an array of social media to find information about the perinatal period depending on their linguistic and digital skills. Reflexively, they expect information found online to be of unequal quality and value information provided by professionals. They adapt their practices to their experience and may avoid media that negatively affects them. Their experience with digital media reflects the overall perinatal experience, providing clues for carers. Professionals worry about the difficult situations some immigrant women live in and stress that digital portals form barriers to services. Professionals may overlook immigrant women’s use of digital media and their need for guidance. ConclusionsImmigrant women use digital media to find information about the perinatal period to prepare for birth and the post-partum. They rely on unequal capabilities to do so and need translated information and holistic woman-centred support.

Opinions of Non-English Speaking Fathers in the Antenatal and Delivery Room.

This study investigated the demographic differences, newborn outcomes, and psychological experiences of English speaking (ES) and non-English speaking (NES) fathers in antenatal and delivery rooms. One thousand fathers completed antenatal and delivery questionnaires. Thirty-three percent of NES fathers were smokers, compared to 26% of ES fathers. NES fathers also reported significantly lower elective cesarean surgery rates. However, intrauterine growth restriction was significantly higher amongst the NES newborn cohort. Further, nursery admission of newborns born to NES fathers was more than double that of ES fathers. NES fathers self-reported more psychological symptoms after delivery than ES fathers (31% vs 19%). This study highlights the dual need for more research into NES perinatal experiences and change in pregnancy management for NES families.