Childbirth in the Uncertainty of Covid-19

Abstract

The article describes the situation of uncertainty associated with childbirth during COVID-19. Future insecurity can increase women’s subjective experience of vulnerability. The theoretical analysis lets to determine three key points. These points provide information about subjective attitudes towards childbirth in a situation of uncertainty. (1) understanding the seriousness and fear of COVID-19, (2) the changes in routine prenatal care (3) changes in routines and social lives. Based on the proposed conceptual framework, an online survey was conducted in November 2021. 57 women who gave birth between May 2020 and November 2021 were interviewed. The questions were about: (1) the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and their families (2) characteristics of childbirth during a pandemic. The Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS-R) was also used. The results of the study were analyzed from the perspective of the identified key themes. We describe the specifics of psychological distress. We state that factors that intensify anxieties and negative perceptions of the situation correlate with general life satisfaction. A significant role in the acceptance of uncertainty plays the personal experience of illness.