Experiences of A Population of Recovered Iranian Pregnant Women from COVID-19: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Background: It seems pandemics may have a notable potential adverse effect on the pregnant women. The important biological COVID-19 aspect of the pregnancy has been led to the neglect of its psychological aspect of the pregnant women, especially COVID-19 affected. The present qualitative study aims to explore the experiences of Iranian pregnant women who were recovered from the COVID-19 pandemics.

Materials and methods: This qualitative study designed based on a semi-structured interview with 9 pregnant women who had developed COVID-19 during pregnancy and had recovered.

Results: Data analysis revealed five themes including: anxiety and helplessness, stigma, confront disease, apprehension in the heart of desire, and seeking calmness. Rrecovered pregnant women from COVID-19 spoke of their mixed feelings; being happy with their survival and that of their fetus, despite getting the disease, along with anxiety and fear of the future, which had resulted in the continuation of pregnancy in the limbo of ambiguity and expectation. Recovered pregnant women during unknown pandemics, despite being saved from disease, continue to tolerate concerns about their unborn child.

Conclusion: Recovered pregnant women during unknown pandemics, despite being saved from disease, continue to tolerate concerns about their fetus. Therefore, they require comprehensive and complete management approaches that require familiarity with the psychological challenges of this group of patients.