Women's experiences of maternity and perinatal mental health services during the first Covid-19 lockdown

Abstract

This article presents evidence relating to the effects of Covid-19 on perinatal wellbeing, pregnancy and maternity. It describes findings from a qualitative project with 14 pregnant women and new mothers, conducted in England during the spring lockdown of 2020. It reveals that those who have additional vulnerabilities, such as financial insecurities, poor social relationships, experiences of birth trauma or physical and mental health difficulties have experienced the pandemic and social distancing measures with heightened effects on their wellbeing. Infant feeding support, health visits and baby weigh-in sessions were the three services most missed in their in-person formats and there was a near unanimous assertion that these are sorely needed. There was wide variation in accessing digital support; some were significantly unaware of sources of online support, with others using informal connections, some being supported extensively, remotely, by perinatal mental health services.