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Birthing under the Condition of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Interviews with Mothers, Partners, and Obstetric Health Care Workers

Author

Listed:
  • Martina Schmiedhofer

    (German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany
    Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany)

  • Christina Derksen

    (Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany)

  • Johanna Elisa Dietl

    (German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany
    Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany)

  • Freya Häussler

    (German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany)

  • Frank Louwen

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Beate Hüner

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, 89070 Ulm, Germany)

  • Frank Reister

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Ulm, 89070 Ulm, Germany)

  • Reinhard Strametz

    (German Coalition for Patient Safety (Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit), 10179 Berlin, Germany
    Wiesbaden Business School, Rhein Main University of Applied Science, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany)

  • Sonia Lippke

    (Department of Psychology & Methods, Jacobs University Bremen GmbH, 28759 Bremen, Germany)

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary containment measures challenge obstetric care. Support persons were excluded while protection measures burdened and disrupted the professionals’ ability to care and communicate. The objective of this study was to explore the first-hand experience of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers, their partners, and obstetric professionals regarding birth and obstetric care in a university hospital. Methods: To answer the descriptive research questions, we conducted a qualitative content analysis using a data triangulation approach. We carried out 35 semi-structured interviews with two stratified purposive samples. Sample one consisted of 25 mothers who had given birth during the pandemic and five partners. Sample two included 10 obstetric professionals whose insights complemented the research findings and contributed to data validation. Participants were recruited from the study sample of a larger project on patient safety from two German university hospitals from February to August 2021. The study was approved by two ethics committees and informed consent was obtained. Results: Mothers complied with the rules, but felt socially isolated and insecure, especially before transfer to the delivery room. The staff equally reported burdens from their professional perspective: They tried to make up for the lack of partner and social contacts but could not live up to their usual professional standards. The exclusion of partners was seen critically, but necessary to contain the pandemic. The undisturbed time for bonding in the maternity ward was considered positive by both mothers and professionals. Conclusion: The negative effects of risk mitigation measures on childbirth are to be considered carefully when containment measures are applied.

Suggested Citation

  • Martina Schmiedhofer & Christina Derksen & Johanna Elisa Dietl & Freya Häussler & Frank Louwen & Beate Hüner & Frank Reister & Reinhard Strametz & Sonia Lippke, 2022. "Birthing under the Condition of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: Interviews with Mothers, Partners, and Obstetric Health Care Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1486-:d:736742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martina Schmiedhofer & Christina Derksen & Franziska Maria Keller & Johanna Elisa Dietl & Freya Häussler & Reinhard Strametz & Ilona Koester-Steinebach & Sonia Lippke, 2021. "Barriers and Facilitators of Safe Communication in Obstetrics: Results from Qualitative Interviews with Physicians, Midwives and Nurses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Benjamin Saunders & Julius Sim & Tom Kingstone & Shula Baker & Jackie Waterfield & Bernadette Bartlam & Heather Burroughs & Clare Jinks, 2018. "Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1893-1907, July.
    3. Jonas Schreyögg, 2020. "Corona-Krise trifft auf Strukturprobleme im Gesundheitswesen [The corona crisis meets the structural healthcare problems]," Wirtschaftsdienst, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 100(4), pages 226-227, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Genova Federica & Tambelli Renata & Eleonora Marzilli, 2023. "Parental Postnatal Depression in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on the Parent–Child Relationship and the Child’s Developmental Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-25, January.
    2. Antonia Leiße & Julia Dötzer & Alice Ruhnau & Leona Aschentrup & Florian Fischer & Kamil J. Wrona, 2023. "Pregnancy Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Germany: A Public Health Lens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-9, February.
    3. Martina Schmiedhofer & Christina Derksen & Johanna Elisa Dietl & Freya Haeussler & Reinhard Strametz & Beate Huener & Sonia Lippke, 2022. "The Impact of a Communication Training on the Birth Experience: Qualitative Interviews with Mothers after Giving Birth at Obstetric University Departments in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Johanna Elisa Dietl & Christina Derksen & Franziska Maria Keller & Martina Schmiedhofer & Sonia Lippke, 2023. "Psychosocial Processes in Healthcare Workers: How Individuals’ Perceptions of Interpersonal Communication Is Related to Patient Safety Threats and Higher-Quality Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-19, May.

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