COVID-19 and the experience of mothers in perinatal psychiatry services : an explorative study in the UK
Almas, Saima Kar, Nilamadhab
Kennedy, Vanathi
Almas, Saima
Kennedy, Vanathi
Abstract
Background/Objective: As the health services were reorganized during the COVID-19 restricting access to family caregivers, we explored the experience of women in the perinatal period, attending a specialist perinatal mental health service. Methods: Patients (n = 38) in the outpatient list for review were assessed over phone based on a predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire, comprising both quantitative (demographic, clinical variables) and qualitative open-ended questions regarding their experience of services during COVID-19. Results: The responses provided insight into how the pandemic affected the experience of pregnancy of mentally ill women and the impact of changes in perinatal mental health services. The main concerns centered around reduced support from close family members during the perinatal period due to the lockdown, anxiety regarding COVID transmission, absence of a supporting persons in antenatal clinics, difficulty accessing support from midwives, and health visitors as well as the use of virtual clinics for mental health consultations. Conclusions: The results suggested possible methods of improving perinatal mental health support during challenging times, which included ensuring in-person consultations, access to family even remotely, increasing accessibility through alternative means; providing and close monitoring of additional psychosocial support when needed.
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Date
2023-07
Type
Article
Subject
Covid-19, Perinatal Care, United Kingdom
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Citation
Almas, Saima; Kar, Nilamadhab1,2,3; Kennedy, Vanathi4. COVID-19 and the Experience of Mothers in Perinatal Psychiatry Services: An Explorative Study in the UK. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry 39(3):p 210-214, Jul–Sep 2023. | DOI: 10.4103/ijsp.ijsp_147_22
Journal / Source Title
Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry
DOI
PMID
Publisher
Wolters Kluwer