Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum Experiences of Women Who Were Diagnosed with COVID-19 During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in Turkey

GÖZÜYEŞİL E., Sulu Dursun R., GÖKYILDIZ SÜRÜCÜ Ş., AVCIBAY VURGEÇ B.

SAGE Open, vol.14, no.4, 2024 (SSCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1177/21582440241292142
  • Journal Name: SAGE Open
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: birth, COVID-19, postpartum, pregnancy, qualitative study
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study utilized a qualitative study design to determine the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences of women who were diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy in Turkey. Interviews were conducted with 14 women using the semi-structured interview technique to evaluate their “pregnancy,”“birth,” and “postpartum” experiences. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic and content analysis methods. Content analysis of the data revealed four main themes. The themes were as follows: Support for a positive pregnancy experience, uncertainty and fear of the COVID-19 diagnosis, effects of the COVID-19 diagnosis on the birth experience, and effects of the COVID-19 diagnosis on postpartum experiences. The results of this study showed that antenatal care expectations of women during pregnancy could not be met, they could not access reliable information, they experienced disruptions in their follow-ups, they were anxious about their own health and the health of their babies, and they had decreased social interaction.