O que esperar quando se está sperando (em uma pandemia)? gestação e parto durante a pandemia de Covid-19

Abstract

In March 2020, the World Health Organization classified COVID-19 as a pandemic. This emergency situation triggered a series of actions aimed at reducing transmission of the virus and controlling its consequences, especially in at-risk groups, including pregnant women. In this group, psychological consequences were evident, triggered primarily by social isolation and uncertainty about the infection. Therefore, this research aimed to understand the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we used a qualitative methodology with narrative interviews, using the theoretical saturation method to determine the sample. The narratives were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted individually with eight participants who used public health services. At the end of the research, it was possible to observe that the COVID-19 pandemic intensified anxiety, loneliness, and overwhelm among the participants, exacerbating mental health problems due to fear, hospital restrictions, and social isolation. Family and social support was limited, negatively impacting maternal well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted pregnant and postpartum women physically, mentally, and socially. Therefore, the results reinforce the importance of specific perinatal policies for crisis contexts and future health emergencies.