Table 2.

Main themes and categories identified in the study

MAIN THEMES	SUB-THEMES	CATEGORIES
Needs and feelings during the COVID-19 pandemic	Mothers, fathers and couples	• presence of the partner in the hospital • support to the partner • bonding with the baby • loneliness and exclusion in the Birth Care Pathway • opportunity to work remotely • paternity leave • presence of the father at home • fear of contagion • sense of guilt • family social support • feeling of social isolation • protected time for the family • sharing the motherhood experience • provision of information • continuity of care and support from HCPs during the Birth care Pathway
	Caregivers/grandparents	• family separation • fear of contagion
	Healthcare professional (HCP)	• confusion and tiredness • sense of guilt • fear of contagion
Coping strategies for well-being	Mothers and fathers and couples	• focusing on pregnancy • sharing with other women during AGMs • exploiting outdoor spaces • daily presence of the fathers at home • making decisions without external interference
	Grandparents	• found solace in the serenity of their daughters and partners
	HCPs	• focusing on mother-babies relationship • cohesion of the teamwork • being part of the Italian Baby Friendly Initiative network
Provision of care of health services	Weaknesses	• delays in disseminating information on available services • delays in the provision of some healthcare services • ineffective or poor communication among different healthcare services • uncertainty among HCPs about what to communicate to women and informal caregivers • exclusion of the father • rise in voluntary hospital discharge following childbirth • difficulties of HCPs in complying with restrictions on parental presence and physical distance • limited support and protection from top management • inequalities and limitations in the use of digital devices
	Strengths	• close and timely provision of care • availability, sense of being taken care of by CHSF midwives • sustaining communication and relationships through digital technology • timely support from peer breastfeeding support mother associations to mothers and families