Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40770644›Full record

SynthesisThe Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology2026

Lessons for the Next Global Health Crisis: A Qualitative Systematic Review of Women's Experiences of the Perinatal Period During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia.

Ashleigh Shipton, Fanhong Shang, Melissa Wake, Sharon Goldfeld, Fiona Mensah

Abstract readSystematic ReviewReview
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Ashleigh ShiptonDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-3750-833X
Fanhong ShangGeneration Victoria, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-6085-6140
Melissa WakeDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-7501-9257
Sharon GoldfeldDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0001-6520-7094
Fiona MensahDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID 0000-0002-6951-9949

Funding

Murdoch Children's Research InstituteNational Health and Medical Research Council 1160906National Health and Medical Research Council 2026263Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansUniversity of MelbourneVictorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDuring the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, pregnant women and new mothers in Australia experienced extreme pandemic societal responses but low SARS-CoV-2 incidence. This offers one of the few opportunities internationally to learn from the pandemic's indirect effects on maternal health, informing future policy.

aimsTo explore women's qualitative experiences of pregnancy to the 12 postpartum months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. MATERIALS AND

methodsA systematic search followed PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and PubMed were searched from 1 January 2020, to 13 August 2023, using four categories of terms: 'COVID-19', 'perinatal', 'qualitative', 'Australia'. Studies were scored using the CASP checklist and common themes identified from thematic synthesis. The ENTREQ reporting statement was followed.

resultsFrom eight peer-reviewed studies, four themes were identified: (1) 'No one can give you any answers': Provision of information was inadequate in supporting women to make health-related decisions; (2) 'Very isolated' or 'It brought us closer': Social distancing restrictions caused major changes within women's informal support networks; (3) 'Have they seen enough of me?': Women felt unsupported during disruptions in maternal health services; (4) 'All you want to do is keep safe': Safeguarding family from SARS-CoV-2 added cognitive strain to women's daily decision-making and routine. All studies were of a good or high quality.

conclusionsThree lessons were highlighted. First, women need accurate, accessible health information to make informed decisions. Second, policies should support family bonding and social connections during government restrictions. Finally, health services must be strengthened to ensure continuous, high-quality, accessible care during global crises.

Indexed as

COVID-19Pregnant PeopleAustraliaFemaleGlobal HealthHumansPregnancyQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2AustraliaCOVID‐19healthpregnant womenqualitative systematic review

Identifiers

PMID40770644
PMCPMC12867550

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.