Gender a výzkum / Gender and Research 2023, 24 (1): 88-113 | DOI: 10.13060/gav.2023.002

What to Expect When Expecting? Experiences of Pregnant Women in Serbia during the COVID-19 Pandemic and State of Emergency

Ana Bilinović Rajačić^a, Jovana Čikić^a

^a Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the experiences of non-infected pregnant women in Serbia during the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of emergency by applying a qualitative research method. The present analysis examines four aspects of being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic and the state of emergency: (a) pregnant women’s health and health care; (b) preparation for childbirth and the arrival of a new family member; (c) working while pregnant during the pandemic; and (d) the family atmosphere and family practices. The results show that the coronavirus pandemic affected pregnant women both psychologically and socially. The following conditions had a negative impact on pregnant women: (a) worrying about both their own health and the health of their baby; (b) a significant reduction in the level and quality of health-care support; (c) a decrease in ‘external’ parental support as a result of the need to socially isolate; (d) difficulties in managing their professional and family obligations; (e) missing their regular pre-pandemic activities; and (f) a decrease in total family income as a result of changes to employment conditions during the pandemic. Respondents who experienced pregnancy positively had high levels of marital adjustment and a stable family income and enjoyed spending more time with their husband and children during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, state of emergency, pregnancy

Received: August 14, 2022; Revised: July 2, 2023; Accepted: July 16, 2023; Published: September 6, 2023  Show citation