Table 4 Qualitative content analysis codes, response rates, and exemplar quotes
From: Stressors, coping, and resources needed during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of perinatal women
Pregnant (n = 42) | Postpartum (N = 37) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
What are you most worried about regarding COVID-19 and your pregnancy? Or if you have already delivered your baby, what are you most worried about regarding COVID-19 and newly parenting? | |||
Baby contracting COVID-19 | 52% 22/42 | 49% 18/37 | “I am most worried that a wave of COVID-19 will be a risk to my baby after I deliver in October. I know that logically, newborns and infants are not a high-risk group if they contract COVID-19, but I still feel sick at the idea of my new baby at risk for the virus.” #119, pregnant “I am worried that the general consensus of ‘COVID doesn’t affect kids’ is totally wrong […] the disease is so new that we don’t really know for sure.” #142, postpartum |
Self or partner contracting COVID-19 | 38% 16/42 | 32% 12/37 | “I am worried about contracting COVID while pregnant. There are still so many unknowns and I am worried about it causing pregnancy complications.” #105, pregnant “I had a c-section and during that time I was worried that if I caught COVID my immune system wouldn’t be able to cope. I was afraid to die and leave my baby behind.” #126, postpartum “Not being able to take care of him if I were to get severely sick from COVID-19.” #148, postpartum “Me or my husband contracting the virus and giving it to our newborn.” #162, postpartum |
Isolating from baby should mom or baby have COVID-19 | 17% (7/42) | 14% (5/37) | “I am most worried about being separated from my baby when I deliver if I test positive and that’s the hospital’s policy.” #87, pregnant “That COVID will separate my baby from me.” #139, postpartum |
Family/others missing key OB appointments & events | 24% (10/42) | 3% (1/37) | “A hospital having a policy that my husband cannot be in the delivery room, a local outbreak occurring so that my parents cannot safely visit the baby.” #104, pregnant |
Lack of social support | 2% 1/42 | 16% 6/37 | “Not having support. As a first-time mom and trying to social distance means no help from friends and family.” #158, postpartum |
Finances & resources | 5% (2/42) | 3% (1/37) | “I’m worried that my husband and I won’t have enough money to support our baby.” #97, pregnant “When I had my baby was when everyone was panic buying […] I could not get wipes, diapers, or a thermometer in store for a bit. People were also hoarding distilled water and formula which left me panicking that I wouldn’t have the items needed when baby came home.” #132, postpartum |
New world for baby | 0% (0/42) | 3% (1/37) | “What kind of world I will be raising my baby in.” #159, postpartum “I’m most worried about the world around us changing so drastically that I can’t give my baby the life I had planned on.” #127, postpartum |
Are there things that you are lacking (food, diapers, etc.) that are making you feel stressed or anxious? | |||
Cleaning and baby supplies | 12% (5/42) | 32% (12/37) | “I have had a hard time getting diapers, formula, wipes and other nursing/pumping supplies. In addition, many cleaning products are out of stock (everything from hand wash, dish soap to disinfectants) which are needed in greater quantities with a newborn.” #137, postpartum |
Financial support | 21% (9/42) | 0% (0/37) | “My business has been closed since March 17th which has caused a lot of stress and a financial strain.” #88, pregnant |
Social support | 7% (3/42) | 3% 1/37 | “Not having my family to support me because we are isolating ourselves.” #95, pregnant |
Childcare | 2% (1/42) | 3% (1/37) | “Yes, husband deployed, so lack of partner support and for childcare for my other child during appointments […]” #124, pregnant “Support groups, finances, support from work to care for child, safe childcare options or longer time to stay at home with child.” #134 postpartum |
What resources would be most helpful to you? | |||
COVID-19 info | 38% (16/42) | 19% (7/37) | “More information concerning how to best protect myself and a newborn during a pandemic.” #116, pregnant “I wish to see more studies about pregnant women who contracted COVID-19. I would feel better if there was more information about what could possibly happen if I were to get COVID-19 while pregnant.” #119, pregnant “Medical resources and cases of how other newborns and infants have been affected if they are infected.” #149, postpartum |
Financial assistance | 14% (6/42) | 5% (2/37) | “Unemployment has been so hard to get a hold of and their website crashes every time I try to apply because of traffic on the site. I wish there was a more local number or somewhere I could get financial help […].” #85, pregnant “Grants for small businesses. Right now we are only getting loans and minimal unemployment for my husband.” #88, pregnant |
Healthcare access | 36% (15/42) | 35% (13/37) | “Resources for online classes that used to be in person - birth classes, hypnobirthing, breastfeeding.” #121, pregnant “I think the most helpful resource would be more lactation support or more support for postpartum depression during a pandemic.” #128, postpartum |
Access to groceries and supplies | 5% (2/42) | 19% (7/37) | “Fair access to diapers, wipes, cleaning supplies.” #106, pregnant “Updated list of in stock items available on store websites.” #153, postpartum |
Workplace needs | 5% (2/42) | 11% (4/37) | “More talking about risks we are facing and how to minimize risks, while at work. Especially when it comes to pregnancy and working in a health care environment.” #93, pregnant |
Social support | 10% (4/42) | 16% (6/37) | “Online support group/chat for new parents in this time.” #113, postpartum “It would be nice to be able to have more support from family.” #109, pregnant |
Childcare | 2% (1/42) | 8% (3/37) | “More affordable childcare options for essential workers that allow pre-enrollment meetings.” #146, postpartum “Family being able to help take care of baby.” #162, postpartum |