Experiences of early parenthood in and beyond the coronavirus pandemic: a qualitative study with expectant and new mothers.

The term ‘Perinatal’ incorporates pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. The perinatal period is of significance in both the individual and familial life cycle, an experience shared by the wider social network and community. Yet, it can be a time where the impact of pre-existing and emerging mental health problems could necessitate specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (PMHS) support via the National Health Service (NHS). The COVID-19 pandemic is considered to have added adverse impacts on Perinatal Mental Health (PMH), with questions on the lived experience remaining largely unanswered. The current study focussed on the experiences of a unique user group, women who were currently in receipt of perinatal mental health support during the pandemic and considered the context in which this service was received via the NHS within Wales. Semi-structured interviews with 21 expectant and new mothers were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) establishing four main themes of: 1. Disrupted Perinatal Medical Care during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. Becoming a Parent in Social Isolation; 3. Managing Perinatal Health Through PMHS; 4. Parenthood beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic caused concerns and worries amongst pregnant, birthing, and post-partum women and that diminished opportunities for social support during that time created an adverse mental health impact upon them. Overall, COVID-19 appears to have a ripple effect on women and their families experiencing the perinatal period during pandemic. Participants largely attributed the causes of their poorer experiences to the pandemic by identifying it as a contributor to their heightened perinatal mental distress and at times as sole cause for their referral to Perinatal Mental Health Services. The research generates information and knowledge that highlights the unique needs of the perinatal population in future pandemics and crises, with both short and long-term implications for parents, babies and families.