Childbirth experience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative thematic analysis

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is a period of special vulnerability for the mental health of women. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic altered the routines of pregnant women, its effects on this population are thus far unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study is to understand the impact of the pandemic on the birth experience of women during the state of emergency in Andalusia, Spain. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with 14 women, using semistructured interviews via telematics. These were recorded and later transcribed using the F4transkript software. In order to analyze the data retrieved from the interviews and identify the main patterns of meaning/responses, the thematic analysis method was applied. RESULTS: The main emerging themes were 'prenatal medical care', 'hospital safety', and 'postpartum with COVID-19 restrictions'. The results indicated that the reorganization of perinatal medical care, the lack of information, and the fear of contagion were the factors that most negatively influenced the participants. Instead, the security during the birth process and the tranquility in postpartum were the positive aspects of the birth experiences during COVID-19. CONCLUSION: This is the first qualitative study in Andalusia that identifies the specific aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic that have affected the mental health of pregnant women. The results contribute to a broader perception of the experience of women and the creation of health protocols for emergencies akin to the COVID-19 pandemic.