Table 2.

Main themes and sub-themes. Exploring the COVID-19 pandemic experience of maternity clinicians in a high migrant population and low COVID-19 prevalence country: a qualitative study.

1.	Clinicians’ perceptions of patient experience
	Main theme
	COVID-19 related travel restrictions result in loss of valued family support for migrant families
	Sub-themes
	Birth and cultural differences: “…they’re just by themselves, as opposed to an Aussie couple…”
	The cultural practice of postpartum extended in-house support from overseas
	Loss of support and impact on clinical care
	Changing support from partners: “…the fathers themselves actually did step up”
	Mental health impact of loss of support: “Big time struggling because she’s sort of just very isolated”
	Missing out on important life events in the pregnancy journey “…husbands are missing the births of their babies”
	The hospital is not a safe place to be “… we’re a big tertiary hospital, and we’re the COVID central”

2.	Maternity care service delivery during COVID-19
	Main theme
	For the greater good, loss of efficient women-centred care: “it was just a matter of plugging the holes when you could identify them”
	Sub-theme
	Doing your own thing: “This doesn’t feel right …”

3.	Clinicians’ personal experience during COVID-19
	Main theme
	Challenges and difficulties in difficult times- “you just dealt with it”;“… and we came straight off the bushfires”
	Sub-themes
	Guilt- “can I keep everyone safe?”; “…that was the fear. Taking it home and then … them not surviving it.”
	Self-care: new activities and work facilitating connection with people