DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY PREGNANT WOMEN DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC PROCESS IN TURKEY: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Abstract

Pregnant women were in the risk group in the Covid 19 pandemic as in previous pandemics. Being in a risk group can make coping even more difficult. This study was conducted to determine the difficulties experienced by pregnant women during the pandemic process. This is a phenomenological and qualitative study. The study was conducted with 33 participants. An interview form consisting of 10 unstructured questions was used to collect the data. Qualitative data were evaluated with content analysis. The study data were categorized using codes, and then themes and sub-themes were created. We found four themes and twelve sub-themes related to the strengths that participants experienced during the Covid 19 pandemic. These four themes were determined as (a)emotional burden, (b)challenge, (c)support and (d)prenatal care checkups. Pregnant women were emotionally affected and compulsory social isolation caused pregnant women to feel lonely during periods when support is needed such as pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. Pregnant women wanted to be isolated, on the other hand, they felt a sense of loneliness. Pregnant women had to postpone their prenatal care checkups, and some pregnant women could not reach their doctor. Pregnant women were most concerned about the health of their babies. They had ambivalent feelings about social support during pregnancy.