Objective:

To understand the perceptions and experiences of pregnant and postpartum women in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods:

Qualitative and exploratory-descriptive study conducted in a group of 38 pregnant and postpartum women. Data were collected online between February and April 2021 using a semi-structured form. Participants were initially invited through social media. Based on the affirmative feedback, their participation was made official, individually, through the online address previously informed. Qualitative data were analyzed using the content analysis technique.

Results:

Coded data resulted in three thematic categories: "From information to building bonds of acceptance and respect", "Fear and uncertainties experienced by pregnant and postpartum women", and "Qualifying strategies for maternal and child care".

Conclusions:

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus not only decelerated the advance of initiatives in the area of maternal and child health, but also set them back in several aspects, especially regarding the lack of information on the contagion of the virus, the decrease in the frequency of prenatal consultations, and imposed limitations to the presence of a companion at the time of delivery, among others.

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