Narrative analysis of birth experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MCN Am J Matern ChildNurs. 2021 Sep-Oct; 46(5): 284-292.

Published online August 13, 2021. doi: 10.1097 / NMC.000000000000000742

Commentary

This study sought to describe and understand the lived experiences of pregnant and new mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the pandemic disrupted health care delivery and services, caused rapid changes in birth protocols and pregnant women, and left gaps in the evidence about the experiences of expectant and new mothers who experienced birth with severe limitations and significant uncertainty.

A narrative analysis framework was used to extract relevant YouTube birth stories using pre-defined search terms and inclusion criteria.

Mothers' birth stories were told by those who had recently given birth during their second or third trimester, or during a pandemic.

As a result, n = 83 birth stories were analyzed.

Four broad themes and 13 subthemes were identified in these birth stories.

With major themes including loss, hospital experiences, experiences with health care providers, and unique experiences during and after birth, the birth stories revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in unexpected circumstances, both positive and negative, that affected the mothers' overall birth experience.