Knowledge and Expectations of Perinatal Care Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Caleb Chun Wei Lim; Marlene Samantha Sze Minn Goh; Ka-Hee Chua; Meei Jiun Seet; Siew Guek Tay; Manisha Mathur; Juin Yee Kong; Kee Thai Yeo

doi:10.3389/fgwh.2022.813731

Knowledge and Expectations of Perinatal Care Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Front Glob Womens Health. 2022 Jul 14:3:813731. doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.813731. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Caleb Chun Wei Lim^{1

2}, Marlene Samantha Sze Minn Goh^{1

2}, Ka-Hee Chua^{2

3}, Meei Jiun Seet^{2

3}, Siew Guek Tay⁴, Manisha Mathur^{2

3}, Juin Yee Kong^{1

3}, Kee Thai Yeo^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neonatology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
³ Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.
⁴ Division of Nursing, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and expectations of pregnant women on perinatal care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women ≥21 years, without a history of confirmed COVID-19, attending antenatal clinics between August and September 2020 via a secure online platform. The survey consisted of 10 questions which evaluated the knowledge and expectations on perinatal and neonatal care during the current pandemic.

Results: A total of 313 pregnant women completed the survey. The mean age of the participants was 30 years (SD 4; range 22-43 years). The median gestational age was 25 weeks (range 4-40 weeks). The participants were predominantly multiparous (54%) and almost all (98%) had completed secondary level education. Majority of participants were aware of the spread of COVID-19 by respiratory secretions and contact (90%), and the importance of prevention strategies (94%). Up to 72% agreed or strongly agreed that in-utero transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was possible. Most were unsure of the optimal mode of delivery (77%) and only 22% believed that breastfeeding was safe in a pregnant woman with active COVID-19. Although 46% were concerned about increased transmission risk with antenatal clinic visits, only 37% were agreeable to teleconferencing of clinic appointments. Maternal age >35 years was significantly associated with agreement with separation of mother-infant after birth [AOR 1.89 (95% CI 1.05, 3.39)], restrictions of visitors during the postnatal period [1.92 (1.05, 3.49)] and having their confinement practices were affected [2.3 (1.26, 4.17)]. Pregnant women who were multiparous disagreed that breastfeeding was safe in women with active COVID-19 [0.42 (0.23, 0.75)].

Conclusions: There was significant uncertainty about the optimal delivery method and safety of breastfeeding with COVID-19 among expectant mothers, along with variable agreement with alterations to routine perinatal care.

Keywords: COVID-19; attitudes; breastfeeding; expectations; neonatal; perceptions; perinatal care; pregnancy.