Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women: A qualitative study

Nespoli, Antonella; Ornaghi, Sara; Borrelli, Sara; Vergani, Patrizia; Fumagalli, Simona

Lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women: A qualitative study Thumbnail


Authors

Antonella Nespoli

Sara Ornaghi

Patrizia Vergani

Simona Fumagalli



Abstract

Problem: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Citation

Nespoli, A., Ornaghi, S., Borrelli, S., Vergani, P., & Fumagalli, S. (2022). Lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women: A qualitative study. Women and Birth, 35(3), 289-297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.07.006

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 24, 2021
Online Publication Date Aug 2, 2021
Publication Date May 1, 2022
Deposit Date Jan 27, 2022
Publicly Available Date Aug 3, 2022
Journal Women and Birth
Print ISSN 1871-5192
Electronic ISSN 1878-1799
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 35
Issue 3
Pages 289-297
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.07.006
Keywords Maternity and Midwifery; Obstetrics and Gynecology
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6676110
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519221001207?via%3Dihub

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations