Postpartum Care During the Pandemic: The Experience of Mothers Receiving Face-To-Face and Virtual Care
The weeks after birth are a crucial time for mothers and babies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many parts of postpartum care changed quickly, leading to more virtual appointments and fewer opportunities for in person support.
This study, led by Dr Sergio A. Silverio (Research Fellow in Social Science of Women’s Health), and co-led by Professor Emma Duncan (Professor of Clinical Endocrinology), and Professor Laura Magee (Professor of Women’s Health) and their teams at King’s College London and the University of Liverpool, surveyed over 3,400 women across the UK (KCL-ZOE app users and existing CSS Biobank members), including more than 1,000 who had a baby during the pandemic. The questionnaire, administered in late 2021, asked about pregnancy and postpartum experiences, vaccination status, and free text options for further comments.
Most women felt that seeing a healthcare professional face-to-face was essential – especially for newborn babies who need physical examination. In person visits were described as more thorough, reassuring, and easier for discussing concerns. Virtual care worked best for minor issues, and when women could easily and quickly be brought in for a face-to-face appointment if needed. When this didn’t happen, women felt less confident in the care they received.
The responses highlight that while virtual care can be helpful, it must be used carefully, and never as a full replacement for in person contact. Women want flexible, personalised postpartum care, where virtual options are available, but where babies and mothers can be seen face-to-face whenever needed. These insights will help shape better postpartum care in the future – care that is safe, equitable, and centred around the needs and preferences of women and their babies.
Our work continues as we analyse data on the pregnancy and birth experiences of women during the pandemic.
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