Perceptions of COVID-19 Positive Postnatal Women Who Delivered in an Isolation Facility: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: During the pandemic, pregnant women were tested as part of admission protocols and, regardless of their symptoms, underwent the unique ordeal of giving birth in isolation. Isolating women from their families at the vulnerable perinatal period is likely to create mental health issues that may affect the mother-child dyad. Aim: To explore the lived experiences of mothers who delivered in isolation during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a designated COVID19 Government Medical College, Ernakulam in the Indian state of Kerala from August 2021 to September 2021. A phenomenological approach was used to explore the perceptions and experiences of mothers who gave birth in isolation during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The women were recruited through purposive sampling and contacted by phone due to pandemic restrictions. After obtaining consent, data were collected through telephonic, in-depth interviews using a semi-structured guide. Each interview lasted 40-60 minutes. Data saturation occurred after 12 participants. The audio recordings were transcribed, and the data were analysed using Colaizzi’s method of data analysis. Results: The participants were aged between 25 to 38 years; five were primigravidae. Most had no symptoms or only mild symptoms of COVID-19. From the analysis, two main themes and ten subthemes emerged. The main themes were negative feelings and positive feelings associated with giving birth in isolation. The negative subthemes included fear, sadness, worry, guilt, stigma, feelings of helplessness, and inconvenience. The positive subthemes included better medical care, supportive interpersonal interactions, and postpartum rest. Conclusion: The study concluded that the panic surrounding COVID-19, along with restrictive protocols, contributed to the negative experience. Peer support within the hospital environment emerged as an important positive factor, along with supportive care from hospital staff and encouragement from family. The findings can inform public health policies in future outbreaks to address the needs of women giving birth in isolation.