The transition to motherhood during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden – first-time mothers’ experiences

Introduction Becoming a parent for the first time is a major life transition and this transition might be even more challenging during the covid-19 pandemic. This study aimed to describe first-time mothers’ transition to motherhood during the covid-19 pandemic in Sweden within the framework of Meleis’ transition theory.Theory Meleis’ transition theory describes transitions in life, as the transition to parenthood.Method This study had a descriptive design with a qualitative approach. Nine first-time mothers were interviewed using semi-structured telephone interviews. Data were analysed with deductive content analysis based on Meleis’ transition theory.Results The pandemic and the restrictions in society contributed both facilitating and inhibiting factors for first-time mothers’ transitions to motherhood. On one hand, first-time mothers experienced restrictions with distancing as facilitating because they felt no stress about socialising with other new parents. On the other hand, they also experienced the restrictions of social distancing as inhibiting because they felt isolated and lacked support and role models.Discussion Meleis transition theory was suitable to describe the transition to motherhood during the covid-19 pandemic. The findings may be helpful for understanding the complexity of first-time mothers’ transition to motherhood beyond the pandemic.