Qualitative Study of the Experience of Caring for Women During Labor and Birth During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

MIDWIVES; CHILDBIRTH; MATERNAL-child health services; MEDICAL quality control; WELL-being; PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout; NURSES' attitudes; NURSING; COVID-19; WORK; ATTITUDES of medical personnel; RESEARCH methodology; INTERVIEWING; MENTAL health; QUALITATIVE research; LABOR turnover; EXPERIENTIAL learning; NURSES; LABOR (Obstetrics); THEMATIC analysis; ISOLATION (Hospital care); COVID-19 pandemic

To examine the experiences of labor and delivery (L&D) nurses and certified nurse-midwives who cared for women during labor and birth in the United States during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroup analysis of a larger study with a qualitative descriptive design. Telephone interviews. The parent study included 100 nurses across various specialty areas who provided patient care during the first wave of COVID-19 in the United States. Our subgroup analysis included 19 participants: L&D nurses (n = 11) and certified nurse-midwives (n = 8). Semistructured interview guide. Participants described their experiences providing patient care in L&D settings during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified five major themes: Separation of COVID-19–Positive Mothers and Newborns , Isolation of Women in Active Labor , Disparities in Access to Care , Barriers to Communication , and Effect on the Mental Health of Members of the Care Team. Our findings captured the experiences of maternity care team members who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic when standards of quality maternity care were compromised. The challenges of caring for COVID-19–positive mothers, including isolation during active labor and infant removal from mothers at birth, affected their psychological well-being and their mental health and must now be addressed to prevent burnout and turnover. Addressing the possible mental health needs of maternity care team members who cared for COVID-19–positive mothers is a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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