Aim: The aim of this study is to explore midwives' coping and functioning in the labour wards during the Covid-19 pandemic from the Labour Ward Head Nurses' perspective.
Background: The World Health Organization announced the Covid-19 outbreak to be a pandemic in March 2020. Midwives worldwide were affected by this outbreak, working in risky environments, confronting the anxiety and fear of childbearing women.
Methods: A qualitative study using thematic analysis was conducted using semi-structured interviews done over the telephone. Thirteen Labour Ward Head Nurses were interviewed, and the texts were analysed. The study took place in April 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown in Israel.
Results: Three main themes were generated in the coding process: (a) stress, fear and anxiety, (b) joint efforts and (c) frustration.
Conclusion: Our study illustrates the difficulties that arose at the beginning of the pandemic, a new and unfamiliar chaotic period. Midwives' managers can use the current research to learn about actions that may assist in improving staff resilience and cohesion during times of crisis.
Implications for nursing management: Understanding the psychological impact of the Covid-19 pandemic among health care professionals is crucial for guiding policies and interventions to maintain staff's psychological well-being.
Keywords: Covid-19; Labour Ward Head Nurses; midwives; workplace stress.
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.