Women's perceptions of COVID-19 and their healthcare experiences;a thematic analysis

Objective The objective of this national survey was to explore pregnant women's perceptions of COVID-19 and their healthcare experiences. Design Online survey. Method Through patient and public involvement, a questionnaire was developed and advertised via the BBC website, Twitter and other online media during May 2020. The findings were analysed by qualitative thematic analysis. Women who are currently pregnant, or who have delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic were invited to partake in a national online survey. Results 1451 participants replied to the online questionnaire. Participants provided significant insight into the perceived barriers to seeking healthcare during this pandemic. These include 'not wanting to bother anyone', 'lack of wider support from allied healthcare workers' and the influence of the media. Other concerns included the use of virtual clinics antenatally and their acceptability to patients, the presence of birthing partners, and the way in which information is communicated about rapidly changing and evolving services. The influence of the media has also had a significant impact on the way women perceive hospital care in light of COVID-19 and for some, this has shaped whether they would seek help. Conclusions This is the first ever reported study in the United Kingdom to explore pregnant women's perceptions of COVID-19 and their subsequent healthcare experiences. Maternity services have undergone a significant change due to the pandemic. Whilst these changes may be temporary, they highlight significant questions as to how services should be delivered in the future. It cannot be assumed that the current way of service delivery is necessarily acceptable to patients, and it is important to involve the voices of women and their families when designing such services. We hope the findings from this study will be used to shape future maternity services including the use of virtual antenatal care.