Pregnant women's experiences during a public health emergency: A cross-sectional analysis of the COVID-19…

Cross-sectionalPublic health in practice (Oxford, England)· Dec 2026

Pregnant women's experiences during a public health emergency: A cross-sectional analysis of the COVID-19 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System COVID-19 supplement.

Andrew Williams, Ramona A Danielson, Michael A Osei

Maternal-Fetal MedicineCross-sectionalClinical practiceQ2IF 2.1

Family household stressors affected 42% of women who gave birth during pandemic.

Pregnant women's experiences during a public health emergency: A cross-sectional analysis of the COVID-19 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System COVID-19 supplement.

Andrew Williams … Michael A Osei

Public health in practice (Oxford, England) · Dec 2026

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased maternal morbidity and mortality, with racially minoritized women having worse outcomes than other women in the United States.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of secondary data.

n = 453,231

42.1%

Results

42.1%

family stressors like anxiety and job loss hit nearly half of new mothers

n = 453,231

More results

Housing instability impacted 11.3%, while 35.2% struggled accessing prevention supplies.

Significant disparities emerged: Black and Hispanic women experienced highest family stress rates (48.5%, 48.0%); American Indian/Alaska Native women faced greatest housing instability (21.6%).

More results

Younger, unmarried women and those with lower education, Medicaid enrollment, or pre-existing vulnerabilities experienced disproportionate burdens.

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Conclusion · 1 of 3

Findings necessitate targeted emergency preparedness protocols prioritizing pregnant women's social support infrastructure, including housing assistance programs, expanded childcare services, and guaranteed access to prevention resources.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

The pandemic exacerbated maternal health disparities, with marginalized communities bearing the greatest burden.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Medicaid expansion and culturally-responsive interventions should be implemented to support vulnerable populations during public health crises.

Pregnant women's experiences during a public health emergency: A cross-sectional analysis of the COVID-19 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System COVID-19 supplement.

Pregnant women's experiences during a public health emergency: A cross-sectional analysis of the COVID-19 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System COVID-19 supplement.

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