Abstract
Background
There is ongoing research on the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy and whether vertical viral transmission occurs.
Aims
This study aimed to determine maternal opinions of COVID-19 testing for pregnant women and newborns in order to influence future clinical practice while advancing global knowledge of the impact of testing on patient experiences.
Methods
This service evaluation assessed the opinions of 292 pregnant women who were tested for COVID-19 along with their newborn babies using nasopharyngeal swabs and the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test between 28 April and 21 May 2020.
Results
Many women felt their own (60%) and their baby's (61%) swab was compulsory and did not feel sufficiently informed about the risks and benefits for themselves (43%) or their baby (52%) being tested. Some women did not understand the implications of a positive test for themselves (43%) or their baby (42%). Most participants reported they would agree to themselves (97%) and their baby (86%) being tested in future pregnancies.
Conclusion
Communication to pregnant women regarding the COVID-19 swabbing process is critical and requires improvement. This service evaluation highlighted where women felt under-informed. These areas should be covered in more detail for consenting women for COVID-19 testing in future.
There is ongoing research on the effects of COVID-19 on pregnancy and whether vertical viral transmission occurs.
Aims
This study aimed to determine maternal opinions of COVID-19 testing for pregnant women and newborns in order to influence future clinical practice while advancing global knowledge of the impact of testing on patient experiences.
Methods
This service evaluation assessed the opinions of 292 pregnant women who were tested for COVID-19 along with their newborn babies using nasopharyngeal swabs and the SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test between 28 April and 21 May 2020.
Results
Many women felt their own (60%) and their baby's (61%) swab was compulsory and did not feel sufficiently informed about the risks and benefits for themselves (43%) or their baby (52%) being tested. Some women did not understand the implications of a positive test for themselves (43%) or their baby (42%). Most participants reported they would agree to themselves (97%) and their baby (86%) being tested in future pregnancies.
Conclusion
Communication to pregnant women regarding the COVID-19 swabbing process is critical and requires improvement. This service evaluation highlighted where women felt under-informed. These areas should be covered in more detail for consenting women for COVID-19 testing in future.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 376-382 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | British Journal of Midwifery |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Jul 2022 |