Perinatal experiences of Ukrainian women at the beginning of the war

Abstract

Objective: Pregnancy and childbirth are related to the experience of distress at their core. However, this distress is significantly increased under war conditions. The study aims to examine the perinatal experience of women during the war in Ukraine.

Methods: 12 Ukrainian women who were pregnant and lived in Kyiv or the suburbs of Kyiv from February to May 2022 took part in the study. In-depth interviews were conducted online in the form of semi-structured interviews, and the thematic analysis technique was used.

Results: The perinatal experiences of women during the war in Ukraine were divided into 2 basic groups: negative perinatal experiences and positive perinatal experiences during the war. The negative perinatal experiences were grouped into three main themes: 1) negative emotions experienced in association with war, 2) dissatisfaction with medical support during the war, 3) suffering associated with separation from a husband and relatives. The positive perinatal experiences include 6 main themes: 1) the joy of returning or/and staying home, 2) satisfaction with medical support during the war, 3) coping with stress during the war, 4) family relationships and support during the war, 5) positive attitudes towards the child (or unborn child), 6) patriotic sentiments.

Conclusion: The study revealed negative and positive aspects of the perinatal experience of Ukrainian women during the war. Providing access to medical advice, facilitating uncertainty reduction, and communication between women and their families contribute to positive perinatal experiences of pregnant women and new mothers during the war.

Keywords: in-depth interviews; new mothers; perinatal experiences; pregnant women; themes; war.