Introduction
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a serious public health emergency. With rising numbers worldwide, and the threat of resurgence the impact of COVID-19 has been felt worldwide, in particular among vulnerable and high-risk cohorts such as pregnant women1,2. Immunosuppressed, pregnant, as well as Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) cohorts are amongst the most vulnerable to the physical and psycho-social effects of COVID-191,3,4.
To, date the literature has reported no vertical transmission amongst pregnant women to the fetus in utero5–9. However, pregnant women in previous coronavirus epidemics of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV often suffered more severe illness than their non-pregnant counterparts, with increased risk to mother and fetus10,11. The severity of COVID-19 in pregnant women is similar to that in non-pregnant adults12. There is also no evidence of increased risk of spontaneous abortion or preterm labour risk among pregnant women with COVID-1912. In fact, pregnant women are affected less by COVID-19 compared to the non-pregnant population13, though they may also be more at risk of severe illness if in respiratory failure7.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its sequelae have also caused mental health challenges and pregnant women and partners are no exception to this phenomenon14,15. Perinatal anxiety is an emerging consequence of the pandemic, and this anxiety can have implications for physical health too2,16,17. The impact of COVID-19 infection on pregnant women is both the direct impact of contracted COVID-19, but also the indirect impact of lockdown, social distancing and isolation measures, as part of the international efforts to stem the spread of the virus2.
Recommendations are that pregnant women with COVID-19 require specialist care in relation to diagnosis, management and prevention of complications for mother and baby13,18. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the patient’s perspective of the quality of care (QoC) received in healthcare settings are important outcome measures to assess for quality and impact of service delivery in maternity care. Quality of life and quality of care are commonly used measures to ascertain health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the patient’s perspective of the quality of care (QoC) received in healthcare settings. This survey evaluated HRQoL and QoC amongst pregnant and postpartum women in a tertiary unit in Dublin during the COVID-19 outbreak. It was conducted to gain insight into the physical and mental wellbeing of pregnant women, and review the quality of care being provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to inform healthcare providers in providing pregnant women with the best care during this ongoing high-risk period.