Therapeutic itinerary of pregnant women during COVID-19: a perspective based on healthcare systems^*

Objective: to understand the therapeutic itinerary of women who experienced the gestational period during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted with 16 women who were pregnant during COVID-19. The theoretical framework used was the Health Care Systems Model proposed by Arthur Kleinman. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, which were audio recorded, fully transcribed, and submitted to content analysis as proposed by Bardin and to the IRaMuTeQ software.

Results: the study included women whose ages ranged from 20 to 47 years. Most participants were White and married. Content analysis yielded three categories: 1- Main support networks during pregnancy ― family subsystem; 2- Follow-up during pregnancy ― professional subsystem; and 3- Spirituality as therapeutic support ― cultural subsystem.

Conclusion: it was observed that the paths taken by pregnant women seeking healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic became even more challenging, being permeated by doubts and uncertainties brought about by the disease, as well as by new configurations of routines and services adopted by healthcare providers.

Descriptors:
COVID-19; Prenatal Care; Pregnancy; Therapeutic Itinerary; Healthcare Models; Women’s Health

Highlights:

(1) The therapeutic itinerary was influenced by the changes imposed on services. (2) Fear of contamination created difficulties in seeking healthcare. (3) The healthcare system made it possible to understand the main support networks. (4) Spirituality served as support in the face of the difficulties imposed by the pandemic.