The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Maternity Care Services: Lived Experiences of Midwives in Indonesia

Background: There have been fundamental changes in global maternity care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. However, there are limited studies in Indonesia that have explored the changes experienced by midwives in various health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic Method: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted among midwives with at least three years of clinical experience in midwifery practice and practicing at different levels of healthcare. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through WhatsApp or Phone calls, as face-to-face interviews were impossible during the pandemic. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: In total, 24 midwives from three different regions in Indonesia participated in the study and were 18 years and above with at least three years of experience practicing either in the community health centres (CHC), autonomous midwifery practices (AMP) or hospitals. Two main themes emerged from the data analysis, including changes in maternity care utilization and maternity care provision. Midwives indicated a decline in women visiting the hospital and community health centre due to the fear of being infected during the COVID-19 outbreak, which resulted in discontinuing maternity care services. Conclusion: Due to the discontinuation of crucial maternity services and the decline in patronage, all stakeholders need to address the causes to avert similar occurrences in the future. Similarly, as face-to-face patronage of maternity services reduced during the pandemic and technological devices were explored, it is recommended that a scale-up in the use of telehealth in the provision of selected maternity care services be implemented, with adequate structures in place and the various challenges in using telehealth addressed. This will ensure a sustainable provision of skilled maternity care and limit the risks of infection, thereby reducing maternal or neonatal morbidity and mortality rates.