Pregnancy in the COVID-19 pandemic, prenatal care, and digital technologies: women’s experiences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15253/2175-6783.20232483454Keywords:
COVID-19; Pregnant Women; Pandemics; Digital Technology; Prenatal Care.Abstract
Objective: to know the experience of being pregnant and using technologies for gestational care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: qualitative study, conducted in a virtual environment. A total of 20 women who used digital technologies in pregnancy care during the pandemic were interviewed by videoconference. The data were submitted to content analysis supported by the Atlas.ti9 program. Results: two categories emerged: "Women's feelings on being pregnant during the pandemic of COVID-19", encompassing feelings, expressed by fear, insecurity, and loneliness, related to facing a new disease and social isolation; "Women's experiences with the use of digital technologies in pregnancy care", showing autonomy in the search for online information about pregnancy and groups of pregnant women, in applications or social networks. Furthermore, they remotely experienced bonding and maintenance of prenatal care by health professionals. Conclusion: the use of digital technologies in the pandemic was an imposed reality that positively contributed to clarifying doubts, care, and emotional support during pregnancy. Contributions to practice: the use of digital technologies showed benefits in the pandemic and can be extended to the daily routine of prenatal care, especially in situations that make it difficult for pregnant women to access services.
References
Ministério da Saúde (BR). Lei nº. 13.979, de 06 de fevereiro de 2020. Dispõe sobre as medidas para enfrentamento da emergência de saúde pública de importância internacional decorrente do coronavírus responsável pelo surto de 2019 [Internet]. 2020 [cited Feb 5, 2023]. Available from: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2019-2022/2020/lei/l13979.htm
Sutton D, Fuchs K, D´Alton M, Goffman D. Universal screening for SARSCoV-2 in women admitted for delivery. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(22):2163-4. doi: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2009316
Yan H, Ding Y, Guo W. Mental health of pregnant and postpartum women during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: a systemactic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2020;11:617001. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.617001
Puertas-Gonzalez JA, Mariño-Narvaez C, Peralta-Ramirez MI, Romero-Gonzalez B. The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women. Psychiatry Res. 2021;301:113978. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113978
Balk EM, Konnyu KJ, Cao W, Reddy Bhuma M, Danilack VA, Adam GP, et al. Schedule of visits and televisits for routine antenatal care: a systematic review. AHRQ. 2022;(22-EHC031):1-71. doi: https://www.doi.org/10.23970/AHRQEPCCER257
Hollander JE, Carr BG. Virtually perfect? Telemedicine for COVID-19. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):1679-81.doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp2003539
Marko KI, Ganju N, Krapf JM, Gaba ND, Brown JA, Benham JJ, et al. A mobile prenatal care app to reduce in-person visits: prospective controlled trial. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019;7(5):e10520. doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/10520
Kunonga TP, Spiers GF, Beyer FR, Hanratty B, Boulton E, Hall A, et al. Effects of digital technologies on older people’s access to health and social care: umbrella review. J Med Internet Res. 2021;23(11):e25887. doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/25887
Oliveira SC, Costa DG, Cintra AM, Freitas MP, Jordão CN, Barros JF, et al. Telenursing in COVID-19 times and maternal health: WhatsApp® as a support tool. Acta Paul Enferm. 2021;34:eAPE02893. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2021AO02893
Kingod N, Cleal B, Wahlberg A, Husted GR. Online peer-to-peer communities in the daily lives of people with chronic illness: a qualitative systematic review. Qual Health Res. 2017;27(1):89-99. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732316680203
Nóbrega VCF, Melo RHV, Diniz ALTM, Vilar RLA. Social support networks for Breastfeeding: an action-research. Saúde Debate. 2019;43(121):429-40. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0103-1104201912111
Vasconcelos PP, Andrade BBF, Araújo KEAS, Medeiros HHA, Costa MSO, Correia MB, et al. Social media as a source of knowledge for the process of normal delivery. Cogitare Enferm. 2020;25:e70061. doi: https://doi.org/10.5380/ce.v25i0.70061
Silva RM, Brasil CCP, Bezerra IC, Queiroz FFSN. Mobile health technology for gestational care: evaluation of the GestAção’s app. Rev Bras Enferm. 2019;72(Suppl 3):266-73. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0641
McKay FH, Cheng C, Wright A, Shill J, Stephens H, Uccellini M. Evaluating mobile phone applications for health behaviour change: a systematic review. J Telemed Telecare. 2018;24(1):22-30. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X16673538
Wang N, Deng Z, Wen LM, Ding Y, He G. Understanding the use of smartphone apps for health information among pregnant Chinese women: mixed methods study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2019;7(6):e12631. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2196/12631
Webber CG, Ferreira PC, Falavigna A, Koff MA, Lisboa N. Apreensibilidade da informação online em saúde: comparando percepções humanas e computacionais. Rev Educ Interdisciplinar [Internet]. 2022 [cited Feb 14, 2023];11(2):15-31. Available from: http://seer.faccat.br/index.php/redin/article/view/2649
Vinuto J. A amostragem em bola de neve na pesquisa qualitativa: um debate em aberto. Temát. 2014;22(44):203-20. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.20396/tematicas.v22i44.10977
Nascimento LCN, Souza TV, Oliveira ICS, Moraes JRMM, Aguiar RCB, Silva LF. Theoretical saturation in qualitative research: an experience report in interview with schoolchildren. Rev Bras Enferm. 2018;71(1):228-33. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0616
Bardin L. Análise de conteúdo. São Paulo: Edições 70; 2016.
Barbosa LNF, Melo MCB, Cunha MCV, Albuquerque EM, Costa JM, Silva EFFS. Brazilian’s frequency of anxiety, depression and stress symptoms in the COVID19 pandemic. Rev Bras Saúde Matern Infant. 2021;21(Supl.2):413-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9304202100S200005
Lima MM, Leal CA, Costa R, Zampieri MFM, Roque ATF, Custódio ZA. Gestação em tempos de pandemia: percepção de mulheres. Rev Recien. 2021;11(33):107-16. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.24276/rrecien2021.11.33.107-116
Arrais A, Amorim B, Rocha L, Haidar AC. Impacto psicológico da pandemia em gestantes e puérperas brasileiras. Diaphora. 2021;10(1):24-30. doi: https://doi.org/10.29327/217869.10.1-4
Gomes IEM, Padoin SMM, Langendorf TF, Paula CC, Gomes CA, Ribeiro AC. Benefits of the presence of a companion during the process of labor and delivery: integrative review. Rev Enferm UFSM. 2019;9(e61):1-18. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5902/2179769234170
Matvienko-Sikar K, Pope J, Cremin A, Carr H, Leitao S, Olander EK, et al. Differences in levels of stress, social support, health behaviours, and stress-reduction strategies for women pregnant before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and based on phases of pandemic restrictions, in Ireland. Women Birth. 2021;34(5):447-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.010
Pechinim I, Barbosa GAS, Werneck AL. Ansiedade e depressão no contexto da pandemia COVID -19 e a relação com os mecanismos de defesa das gestantes. Res Soc Dev. 2021;10(10):e93101018489. doi: https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i10.18489
Rossetto M, Souza JB, Fonsêca GS, Kerkhoff VV, Moura JRA. Flowers and thorns in pregnancy: experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rev Gaúcha Enferm. 2021;42:e20200468. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-1447.2021.20200468
Lélis BDB, Corrêa JMC, Marinho GP, Alves KM, Duarte JVB, Marinho IP. O sofrimento mental de gestantes em meio à pandemia do novo coronavírus no Brasil. Id on Line Rev M Psic. 2020;14(52):442-51. doi: https://doi.org/10.14295/idonline.v14i52.2676
Santana NM. As gestantes em meio à pandemia de Covid-19 [Internet]. 2020 [cited Feb 5, 2023]. Available from: https://diplomatique.org.br/as-gestantes-em-meio-a-pandemia-de-covid-19/
World Health Organization (WHO). Draft global strategy on digital health 2020-2024 [Internet]. 2019 [cited Feb 5, 2023]. Available from: https://www.who.int/docs/defaultsource/documents/gs4dhdaa2a9f352b0445bafbc79ca799dce4d.pdf?sfvrsn=f112ede5_42
Elena-Bucea A, Cruz-Jesus F, Oliveira T, Coelho PS. Assessing the role of age, education, gender and income on the digital divide: evidence for the European Union. Inf Syst Front. 2021;23(4):1007-21. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10796-020-10012-9
