Expectancy violations and boundary management when giving birth during a pandemic: implications for supporting women

Abstract

Background: Few life events are as profound as the birth of a child. Yet for those who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic, the birth experience and the care of their newborn child were altered in significant ways. Method: In this study, we examined the stories of women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic using expectations violations theory and communication privacy management theory. Results: Based on focus group interviews with 65 women from 19 states across the U.S., we found that policies imposed by institutions and visitation rules negotiated by women were prominent in women’s birth stories. Policies that affect territorial access to mothers and babies shaped communication to manage health and safety, resulted in intense emotional responses, and affected relationships with women’s partners and families. Conclusions: Our findings offer practical implications for both health care systems and health care providers. Systems must communicate proactively to offer compassionate patient care, and physicians should offer guidance to help new parents manage visitors.