Quality of Perinatal Care and Childbirth Experience in Pregnantand Postpartum Women during Lockdown in Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The Social, Preventive and Mandatory Isolation (ASPO) implemented
in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic altered perinatal care
and may have impacted the subjective perinatal experience. Objective: To
analyze emotional aspects and perceived quality of perinatal care during
pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, and their relationship
with the perceived impact of ASPO. Methods: A cross-sectional study was
conducted using an online self-administered survey among pregnant and
postpartum women residing in Argentina (N = 255). Emotional and perinatal
care quality indicators were assessed. Results: Results showed that a
greater perceived impact of ASPO was associated with higher levels of distress,
concern, and childbirth-related anxiety, and lower levels of calmness,
sense of safety, and amount of perceived rest. A progressive increase in
anxiety across pregnancy was observed, which was exacerbated by ASPO.
Although the childbirth experience was rated positively, perinatal care quality
influenced both childbirth experience appraisal and perceived ASPO impact.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that ASPO acted as a contextual
stressor, amplifying pre-existing conditions of perinatal care rather than as
an isolated determinant of emotional distress in the subjective construction
of the perinatal experience.