Parturition and birth care practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic

a systematic reviw of the literature

Authors

  • Thalita Beatriz Santos Maciel Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil.
  • Mery Natali Silva Abreu Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6691-3537
  • Janaina Fonseca Almeida Souza Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4017-4772
  • Ana Paula Vieira Faria Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil.
  • Carolina Machado Moreira Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9019-7405
  • Thales Philipe Rodrigues da Silva Universidade Federal de São Paulo – UFSP. São Paulo, SP – Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7115-0925
  • Fernanda Penido Matozinhos Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Escola de Enfermagem - EE, Departamento de Enfermagem Básica - ENB. Belo Horizonte, MG – Brasil. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1368-4248

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35699/2316-9389.2025.55843

Keywords:

COVID-19, Delivery Obstetric, Humanizing Delivery, Parturition, Obstetric Nursing, Infant, Newborn, Maternal-Child Nursing

Abstract

Objective: to identify, in the literature, which obstetric practices were used during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Method: this is a systematic literature review, which was conducted by searching the PubMed (MEDLINE) and Embase databases covering the period from 2020 to 2024, following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 2,505 references were found in the initial search, and after screening, 14 studies were included in the narrative synthesis, using the Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM) methodology. Results: The studies indicated that, during the pandemic, there was an increase in the implementation of recommended practices in parturition, such as providing diet and non-pharmacological methods for pain relief. Non-recommended interventions, such as the use of episiotomy and oxytocin, decreased significantly. However, cesarean section rates remained stable in most studies, with the exception of some cases in which there was an increase, justified by the search for increased safety for the mother-baby dyad. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the organization of care for pregnant women, parturients, and newborns. In several international contexts, obstetric interventions considered unnecessary were adopted. This reinforces the need for continuous awareness among professionals involved in obstetric and perinatal care. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen strategies that favor women’s autonomy and their active participation as central subjects in health care.

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Published

2025-07-30

Issue

Vol. 29 (2025)

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Review

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How to Cite

1.
Parturition and birth care practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic: a systematic reviw of the literature. REME Rev Min Enferm. [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 30 [cited 2025 Dec. 24];29. Available from: https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/reme/article/view/55843

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