Continuing care in Covid-19 outbreak: A global survey of new and expectant parent experiences [COCOON]

What we do not yet know, is what the psycho-social impact of COVID-19 has been on new parents through pregnancy, into parenthood, and also on those parents whose babies are stillborn or die in the immediate days since being born.  This study aims to better understand the experiences of these parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background to the study

This research study is a global initiative to investigate the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women, and their partners, accessing maternity care during the global COVID-19 pandemic. King’s College London is leading the UK arm of the study.  The results will inform strategies to improve care for women and their families during this or any future similar outbreak.

The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of pregnant and postpartum women, and their partners, accessing maternity care during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the short- and long-term psychological and social effects of this pandemic outbreak. We also seek to understand the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on parents who have experienced stillbirth or neonatal death during this period. This will help identify areas in which improvements can be made.

We also seek to understand the impact of maternity care changes in response to COVID-19 on the wellbeing of women and families who have experienced a stillbirth or neonatal death. The death of a baby before or soon after birth is a highly distressing outcome of pregnancy for parents, families and their health care providers. The quality of bereavement care can have lasting consequences for parents’ wellbeing.

Project aims:

• To understand the impact of COVID-19 on pregnant and postpartum women and their partners in order to identify areas where care can be improved for during the current COVID-19 outbreak and if such outbreaks happen in the future.
• To undertake an online global survey to identify the main concerns, experiences, and psychosocial responses of pregnant and postpartum women and their partners, during the COVID-19 outbreak.

How this research will be carried out

This is a cross-sectional study of women and partners who are currently pregnant or are in the postpartum period during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak (i.e., from 30th January 2020 onwards). There are eight parent surveys to be delivered on-line via Qualtrics software:

• Survey A: Pregnant women
• Survey B: Postpartum women
• Survey C: Partners during pregnancy
• Survey D: Partners during postpartum period
• Survey E: Bereaved mothers who suffer a stillbirth
• Survey F: Bereaved partners who suffer a stillbirth
• Survey G: Bereaved mothers who suffer a neonatal death
• Survey H: Bereaved partners who suffer a neonatal death

Currently there is very little information on the psychological impact and mental health of pregnant and postpartum women and their partners during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preliminary research has found pregnant women are concerned with their birth plan given the urban and quarantine constraints; avoiding visiting their healthcare provider due to concerns that they may be exposed to the coronavirus, and some women are worried about postpartum such as breastfeeding and neonatal care (e.g. vaccinations, screening). Given the rapid progressive spread of COVID-19 it is important to address the potential outcomes to both mother and partner.

More information

The study is being led by the Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth, Australia, and King’s College London is a collaborating partner.  It was adopted by ARC South London in June 2020 and will be completed by in 2022.

To take part in this research, please click the following link:

https://www.stillbirthcre.org.au/our-research/global-research-study-maternity-care-during-covid-19