Pregnant in a Pandemic: The PiP Study

 

Aim: In the Pregnant in a Pandemic (PiP) study we explored pregnant women’s experiences and views on social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim was to improve guidance and support. We also asked about the impact of the pandemic on access to, and attitudes towards, routine maternal vaccines and views on testing Covid-19 vaccines on pregnant women.

What we did: We interviewed 31 pregnant women (at all stages of pregnancy) via telephone/videoconference between 24 April and 7 May 2020 (at the height of the first UK lockdown). We then produced an infographic (see below) to address key questions and support conversations with midwives. 

What we found (in brief): Despite challenges to social distancing, women were hugely restricting their lives, many going beyond the recommendations. They described stress and uncertainty about risks, requirements, and loss of healthcare, as well as negative mental health effects. The women we interviewed were generally 'pro vaccines' but wary of getting a new vaccine when pregnant and had safety concerns around attending appointments. Please see our publications for more details.


PUBLICATIONS:

1) Anderson E, Brigden A, Davies A, Shepherd E, ingram J (2021) Pregnant women’s experiences of social distancing behavioural guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic 'lockdown' in the UK, a qualitative interview study. BMC Public Health. 21:1202. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11202-z 
Image of the publication of the Pip study paper in BMC Public Health:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2) Anderson E, Brigden A, Davies A, Shepherd E, Ingram I. (2021) Maternal vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic: A qualitative interview study with UK pregnant women. Midwifery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103062

Pip Study vaccine paper2‌‌


INFOGRAPHIC (DOWNLOADABLE):

Colour infographic (for sharing online): 
Black and white leaflet version for printing: 

Pregnant in a pandemic infographic for women - thumbnail image for website to click to main information

 

 Pregnant in a pandemic infographic for women - black and white thumbnail image for website

 


MIDWIFE REPORT: 
Pip Study summary report for midwives (PDF, 379kB) (July 2020)
Pip study midwife report image

Funding: This work is supported by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute, University of Bristol, the Wellcome Trust ISSF3 grant 204813/Z/16/Z and the Economic and Social Research Council ES/T501840/1. 

Ethical approval: The study was approved by the Faculty of Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee at the University of Bristol.

GIF displaying questions that pregnant women worry about in the pandemic. Click on this to access more information.‌‌
The study team:
Emma Anderson image  Dr Emma Anderson
Senior Research Associate
(Principal Investigator)
 
  Amberly Brigden
Doctoral Research Fellow
 
  Dr Anna Davies
Senior Research Associate
 
  Dr Jenny Ingram
Senior Research Fellow
 
  Emily Shepherd
Associate Researcher
 
 
Contact: pip-study@bristol.ac.uk
 
Pregnant in a pandemic study logo
 
 
 
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