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Table 2 Subtopics and sample posts for labor and delivery topic

From: Pregnant at the start of the pandemic: a content analysis of COVID-19-related posts on online pregnancy discussion boards

Topic

Subtopic (n and % within topic)

Sample Post

Labor and Delivery

(N = 858 posts)

Restrictions on birthing partners

(n = 238; 27.7%)

… I’m terrified if things get any worse before I go into labor… that they won’t allow my boyfriend (the father) to join me either. This situation is stressing me out beyond belief. I’m to the point where we are considering traveling to another hospital if mine places any more restrictions on visitors/support…

Hospital policy changes

(n = 225; 26.2%)

Hi everyone, I live in Brooklyn and my original plan was to deliver in one of the Brooklyn hospitals. But now due to Covid-19… I am scared and thinking to change my birthing hospital to nearby state. Is anyone of you thinking the same or have changed already and if so where are you going?

General concern about labor and delivery

(n = 143; 16.7%)

I am scared and terrified that when I go into labor… that this virus will be so much worse and I won’t be able to get the proper labor and delivery care or I’ll manage to get infected while at the hospital. I can’t see how other units won’t be affected if the hospital gets overwhelmed with covid 19 cases…This is so scary and I just feel angry that this is happening to so many moms to be like myself

Changes to planned birth schedule

(n = 93; 10.8%)

38w 3d today. I had my doctors appointment on Tuesday and asked to be induced at 39 weeks for many reasons, but one being I suffer from severe anxiety and with everything going on with coronavirus I’m terrified the hospital will change their rules on 1 support person. Anyways, got a call from my dr today saying they will not induce me. I’m pissed to say the least. Anyone else’s doctor NOT inducing them after 39 weeks? I’m so upset

Home birth due to COVID-19

(n = 71; 8.3%)

Hopefully this has settled down a bit by September but for now I’m definitely considering a planned home birth. Anyone else feeling this way?

Call to action

(n = 39; 4.6%)

http://chng.it/gVvxYbt2tL Please sign to safeguard mothers’ rights to have a support person with them in the hospital!

Arranging for childcare during labor

(n = 30; 3.5%)

…Given the current conditions surrounding COVID-19, I’ve come to accept that I will probably be delivering alone. We have a two year old that was originally going to stay with family; but now we’re more comfortable if my husband just watches her. My concern is actually after the delivery; I’ll be alone in the hospital with the baby… what if I’m exhausted and need to take a nap? Take a shower? Go to the bathroom?…

Specific concern about being separated from baby

(n = 19; 2.2%)

Hey ladies! So, I have heard and read that they may be separating mom from baby if they test positive for COVID-19 while in labor. I am currently 28 weeks pregnant and am terrified that this could possibly happen…