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Mother’s Loneliness: Involuntary Separation of Pregnant Women in Maternity Care Settings and Its Effects on the Experience of Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Paulina Malarkiewicz

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum of the University of Warmia and Mazury, al. Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Stanisław Maksymowicz

    (Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, Collegium Medicum of the University of Warmia and Mazury, al. Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland)

  • Maria Libura

    (Medical Education and Simulation Department, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum of the University of Warmia and Mazury, al. Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the challenges of involuntary separation experienced by women during pregnancy and childbirth in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted by the means of a self-administered questionnaire. One thousand and eleven women (1011) from Poland took part in the study, with an average age of approximately 30 years. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Warmia and Mazury University in Olsztyn, Poland. The results show that the majority of the surveyed women experienced involuntary separation from their partners during pregnancy and childbirth: 66.27% had no choice but to give birth alone and 84.37% had not been able to attend medical appointments with their partners. Solitary encounters with healthcare were associated with the feeling of fear (36.4%), anger (41%), a sense of injustice (52.2%), acute sadness (36.6%) and a sense of loss (42.6%), with all the reported levels higher in younger women. Over 74% of respondents were afraid of childbirth without a partner present. Almost 70% felt depressed because of a lonely delivery experience. Nearly a quarter of the mothers surveyed declared that if they could go back in time, they would not have made the decision to become pregnant during the pandemic. Based on our study, we found that adjustments to prenatal and neonatal care arrangements under COVID-19-related regimens are needed. Our proposal is to implement at least three fundamental actions: (1) risk calculations for pandemic-related cautionary measures should take into account the benefits of the accompanied medical appointments and births, which should be restored and maintained if plausible; (2) medical personnel should be pre-trained to recognise and respond to the needs of patients as a part of crisis preparedness. If the situation does not allow the patient to stay with her family during important moments of maternity care, other forms of contact, including new technologies, should be used; (3) psychological consultation should be available to all patients and their partners. These solutions should be included in the care plan for pregnant women, taking into account a risk-benefit assessment.

Suggested Citation

  • Paulina Malarkiewicz & Stanisław Maksymowicz & Maria Libura, 2022. "Mother’s Loneliness: Involuntary Separation of Pregnant Women in Maternity Care Settings and Its Effects on the Experience of Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5081-:d:799266
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Caroline Benski & Daria Di Filippo & Gianmarco Taraschi & Michael R. Reich, 2020. "Guidelines for Pregnancy Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Public Health Conundrum," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Urszula Nowacka & Szymon Kozlowski & Marcin Januszewski & Janusz Sierdzinski & Artur Jakimiuk & Tadeusz Issat, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic-Related Anxiety in Pregnant Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-10, July.
    3. Nida Rauf & Shaffaq Zulfiqar & Sidra Mumtaz & Hadia Maryam & Rabail Shoukat & Abid Malik & Armaan A. Rowther & Atif Rahman & Pamela J. Surkan & Najia Atif, 2021. "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pregnant Women with Perinatal Anxiety Symptoms in Pakistan: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.
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