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.
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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1720-1725 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | BJOG : An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
| Volume | 128 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| Early online date | 16 Jul 2021 |
| DOIs |
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| Publication status | Published - Oct 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Copyright:Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Funding
Online Open publication funded by COST Action 18211. Online Open publication funded by COST Action 18211. All authors are members of the management committee of COST Action CA18211 and JL is the Action Chair. This commentary is based on contributions from members of the network. Open access funding provided by IReL.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| European Cooperation in Science and Technology | CA18211, 18211 |
