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.