Mental Health & Parental Concerns during COVID-19: The Experiences of New Mothers Amidst Social Isolation

BACKGROUND: : The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation for new parents, with public health orders greatly affecting daily life as well as various aspects of parenting and new parent wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: : To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers/parents across Nova Scotia who are caring for a child 0-12 months of age. DESIGN: : This study utilized an online qualitative survey to collect data. Feminist poststructuralism and discourse analysis guided the analysis and discussion. SETTING: : Nova Scotia, Canada PARTICIPANTS: : 68 participants were recruited from across the province of Nova Scotia. FINDINGS: : Mental health and socialization were both major concerns for new mothers/parents, as many expressed feelings of worry, anxiety, loneliness, isolation, and stress. KEY CONCLUSIONS: : Online support was sought by many new mothers/parents as a way of supporting their own mental health. Some found ways to make it meaningful for them, while others believed that it could not replace or offer the same benefits as in-person interaction and support. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: : Informal and formal support systems are both essential for new mothers. As public health systems and health care services learn to adapt to COVID-19, further research is required to examine how health services may best meet the needs of new mothers/parents.