Experiences of early parenthood in and beyond the Coronavirus pandemic/outbreak

The term ‘Perinatal’ incorporates pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period. The perinatal period is a milestone event in both the individual and familial life cycle, an experience shared by the wider social network and community. Yet, it can be a period where the impact of pre-existing and emerging mental health problems during this time could necessitate specialist Perinatal Mental Health Services (PMHS) support via the NHS. COVID-19 pandemic is considered to have exacerbated the adversity for Perinatal Mental Health (PMH), yet questions on the lived experience remain unanswered. Interviews with expectant and new mothers were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA) establishing themes of 1- Perinatal Medical Care during COVID-19 Pandemic, 2- Becoming a Parent within social isolation, iii- Managing the Perinatal Period with the Support of Perintal Mental Health Services (PMHS) and iv- Parenthood beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic. Findings indicated that the COVID-19 Pandemic caused concerns and worries amongst pregnant, birthing, and post-partum women and that diminished opportunities for social support during the perinatal period created an adverse mental health impact upon them. Overall, COVID-19 appears to have a ripple effect on women and their families experiencing the perinatal period during COVID-19. Although participants largely did not link their poor mental well-being during the perinatal period to the COVID-19 Pandemic, they attributed the causes of their poorer experiences to the COVID-19 Pandemic, identifying the pandemic as contributor to their heightened perinatal mental distress and at times as sole cause for their referral to Perinatal Mental Health Services.