A Qualitative Review of Organizational COVID-19 Communications and Guidance for Pregnant and Postpartum People Who Are Incarcerated.

Abstract

Background: Each year, thousands of pregnant or postpartum women enter prison and jails across the U.S. During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant people who were incarcerated were at increased risk of infection and health complications. Little is known about the role of national public health, medical, and carceral organizations in promoting the health and well-being of pregnant and postpartum people who are incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study were to assess publicly available COVID-19 communications and guidance from national organizations to better understand guidance for pregnant and postpartum people who were incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This study used documentary qualitative analysis to review publicly available COVID-19 guidance and communications from public health agencies and professional organizations. A total of 27 documents were reviewed, coded, and analyzed across eight organizations.

Results: In the 338 pages reviewed, "pregnancy/postpartum" was coded just 17 times among four organizations. Our review found that mentions of the unique needs of pregnant and postpartum people during the COVID-19 pandemic were mostly absent from organizational guidance.

Conclusion: This analysis calls attention to the gaps in the consideration for pregnant and postpartum people who are incarcerated, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We conclude with a series of recommendations to strengthen the care of pregnant and postpartum people who are incarcerated and promote health equity.