Balancing restrictions and access to maternity care for women and birthing partners during the COVID-19 pandemic: the psychosocial impact of suboptimal care

J. Lalor*, S. Ayers, J. Celleja Agius, S. Downe, O. Gouni, K. Hartmann, M. Nieuwenhuijze, M. Oosterman, J. D. Turner, S. I. Karlsdottir, A. Horsch

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalComment / Letter to the editorAcademic

Abstract

Key points
1 Maternity services across Europe during the pandemic has undergone changes to limit virus transmission; however, many changes are not evidence-based.
2 Although these changes were introduced to keep women, babies and healthcare staff safe, the exclusion of companions and the separation of mothers and babies is particularly antithetical to a human rights-based approach to quality care.
3 A poll of COST Action 18211 network members showed that inconsistency in the application of restrictions was high, and there were significant deviations from the recommendations of authoritative bodies.
4 Concerns have emerged that restrictions in practice may have longer term negative impacts on mothers and their families and, in particular, may impact on the long-term health of babies.
5 When practice changes deviate from evidence-based frameworks that underpin quality care, they must be monitored, appraised and evaluated to minimise unintended iatrogenic effects.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1720-1725
Number of pages6
JournalBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Volume128
Issue number11
Early online date16 Jul 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Online Open publication funded by COST Action 18211.

Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

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