Clinical care experiences of Black and Latina women who gave birth during the early COVID-19 pandemic in historically marginalized New York City neighborhoods

Systemic barriers to care and health inequities for Black and Latina women are well documented. However, less is known about the impact of COVID-19 on labor, birth, and postpartum clinical experiences for Black and Latina women. Given the disproportionate risk for adverse outcomes, including maternal death, for Black and Latina women, understanding how emergency circumstances such as a pandemic can exacerbate already existing inequities is necessary to inform care practices to minimize risk for this group. Forty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black and Latina women from South Bronx, North/Central Brooklyn, and East/Central Harlem, who gave birth between March 2020 and March 2022. The interviews were recorded and transcribed, and the data were analyzed via thematic analysis. Participants noted that COVID-19-related policies impacted 1) the ability to receive resources and services while in the hospital, 2) the overall experience in hospital and postpartum care, and 3) the overall health of both the mother and the baby. This study highlights how participants perceived evolving pandemic conditions and how these factors impacted the clinical experiences and health outcomes of Black and Latina women throughout the perinatal period. Opportunities exist to improve maternal health practices and policies during emergency preparedness and response.