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Prayer and meditation practices in the early COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide survey among Danish pregnant women. The COVIDPregDK study

2025-06-26T04:38:19Z

Title: Prayer and meditation practices in the early COVID-19 pandemic: A nationwide survey among Danish pregnant women. The COVIDPregDK study Authors: Prinds, Christina; Hvidt, Niels Christian; Schrøder, Katja; Stokholm, Lonny; Rubin, Katrine Hass; Nohr, Ellen A; Petersen, Lone K; Jørgensen, Jan Stener; Bliddal, Mette Abstract: Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the derived changes in maternity care have created stress and anxiety among pregnant women in different parts of the world. In times of stress and crisis, spirituality, including spiritual and religious practices, may increase. Objective: To describe if the COVID-19 pandemic influenced pregnant women’s considerations and practises of existential meaning-making and to investigate such considerations and practices during the early pandemic in a large nationwide sample. Methods: We used survey data from a nationwide cross-sectional study sent to all registered pregnant women in Denmark during April and May 2020. We used questions from four core items on prayer and meditation practices. Results: A total of 30,995 women were invited, of whom 16,380 participated (53%). Among respondents, we found that 44% considered themselves believers, 29% confirmed a specific form of prayer, and 18% confirmed a specific form of meditation. In addition, most respondents (88%) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had not influenced their responses. Conclusion: In a nationwide Danish cohort of pregnant women, existential meaning-making considerations and practices were not changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one in two study participants described themselves as believers, and many practised prayer and/or meditation.

Perinatal mental health and women’s lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of the qualitative literature 2020-2021

2025-06-26T04:35:42Z

Title: Perinatal mental health and women’s lived experience of the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of the qualitative literature 2020-2021 Authors: Jin, Ying; Murray, Linda Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in global physical distancing restrictions and lockdown orders. Despite the clear documentation of increased mental distress amongst adult populations during the pandemic, there is limited evidence about the mental health challenges of people in the perinatal period (pregnancy, birth and postpartum). The aim of this review is to summarise the qualitative research about women’s lived experience and emotional wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A comprehensive search strategy was developed. Twenty peer-reviewed qualitative research articles published in English from January 1, 2020, to December 15, 2021, were included. Data synthesis outlined the evidence from common themes in a narrative format. Results: Themes during pregnancy included: (1) information seeking: anxiety and fear; (2) experiencing isolation and disruptions to my social support; (3) ‘Going it alone’ in pregnancy care; (4) anticipatory grieving and despair; (5) finding ‘silver linings’ in social restrictions. One key theme during birth was “birthing in a crisis”. Themes during postpartum included: (1) isolating ‘Early motherhood is much like lockdown’; (2) breastfeeding: triumphs and tribulations; (3) facing disruptions during postpartum care; (4) ’Affecting us for years to come’ - COVID-19 was not the only trauma; (5) ‘silver linings’ during postpartum care. Conclusions: This review provides important insights into how experiences of isolation, decreased social support and adaptions to maternity services affect women’s mental health. Maternity services should consider how perinatal mental health support may be integrated into the care of women who may still be required to isolate or have reduced visitors during their perinatal care.

Maternal residential area effects on preterm birth, low birth weight and caesarean section in Australia: A systematic review

2025-06-26T04:34:11Z

Title: Maternal residential area effects on preterm birth, low birth weight and caesarean section in Australia: A systematic review Authors: Bizuayehu, Habtamu Mellie; Harris, Melissa L.; Chojenta, Catherine; Kiross, Girmay Tsegay; Loxton, Deborah Abstract: Introduction: In Australia, area of residence is an important health policy focus and has been suggested as a key risk factor for preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and cesarian section (CS) due to its influence on socioeconomic status, access to health services, and its relationship with medical conditions. However, there is inconsistent evidence about the relationship of maternal residential areas (rural and urban areas) with PTB, LBW, and CS. Synthesising the evidence on the issue will help to identify the relationships and mechanisms for underlying inequality and potential interventions to reduce such inequalities in pregnancy outcomes (PTB, LBW and CS) in rural and remote areas. Methods: Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Maternity & Infant Care, were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies which were conducted in Australia and compared PTB, LBW or CS by maternal area of residence. Articles were appraised for quality using JBI critical appraisal tools. Results: Ten articles met the eligibility criteria. Women who lived in rural and remote areas had higher rates of PTB and LBW and lower rate of CS compared to their urban and city counterparts. Two articles fulfilled JBI’s critical appraisal checklist for observational studies. Compared to women living in urban and city areas, women living in rural and remote areas were also more likely to give birth at a younger age (<20 years) and have chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. They were also less likely to have higher levels of completing university degree education, private health insurance and births in private hospitals. Conclusions: Addressing the high rate of pre-existing and/or gestational hypertension and diabetes, limited access of health services and a shortage of experienced health staff in remote and rural areas are keys to early identification and intervention of risk factors of PTB, LBW, and CS.

Important aspects of intrapartum care described by first-time mothers giving birth in specialised obstetric units in Norway: A qualitative analysis of two questions from the Babies Born Better study

2025-06-26T04:31:55Z

Title: Important aspects of intrapartum care described by first-time mothers giving birth in specialised obstetric units in Norway: A qualitative analysis of two questions from the Babies Born Better study Authors: Eri, Tine Schauer; Røysum, Ingvild Grøtta; Meyer, Frida Bang; Mellemstrand, Maria Opstad; Bø, Rebekka; Sjømæling, Lillian; Nilsen, Anne Britt Vika Abstract: Objective: To explore aspects of intrapartum care that were importanrt for primiparous women who had given birth in large obstetric units in Norway. Methods: We used data from the Babies Born Better (B3) survey, version 1, which is an international, web-based qualitative survey. We performed a reflexive, thematic analysis of the responses to two questions about descriptions of aspects of positive care and areas of care requiring improvement during the intrapartum period. The responders could give up to three responses to each question and there were no word limits. Results: In all, 677 first time mothers who gave birth at the five largest specialised obstetric units in Norway during 2014–2015 were included in the study. The thematic analysis of the 2 205 responses resulted in three final themes: ‘Communication and positive interactions with the caregivers’, ‘Autonomy and active involvement in the labour process’, and ‘Safety, competence and quality of labour care’. Conclusion: For women who give birth for the first time in specialised obstetric units both relational aspect such as communication and respect, and environmental aspects such as facilities, are of importance. First-time mothers might be particularly vulnerable to absence of positive interactions with caregivers because they lack the resources former birthing experience can give. It is essential to give unexperienced birthing women special attention during childbirth because the first birth may influence decisions in following pregnancies