Table 3.

Content analysis of what have pregnant women found most stressful.

Themes	Sub-categories
Altered social networks and supports due to COVID-19	Increased reliance on partner
	Limited access to family
	Limited access to friends
	Limited access to group supports
	Feeling pretty unseen and uncelebrated
	Isolation and loneliness
Concerns related to Covid-19 infection	Maternal infection
	Infant infection
	Fear of pregnancy loss/adverse outcome
	Lack of evidence related to infection in pregnancy
	Potential separation from infant
	Others attitudes and non-adherence to public health measures
Juggling roles and responsibilities	Preparing for the arrival
	Preparing for parenthood
	Caring for other dependent children
	Home schooling due to COVID-19
	Lack of formal and informal childcare due to COVID-19
Maternity care impacted by COVID-19	Restrictions on partner presence at appointments/during labour/postpartum
	Poor communication/information provision
	Reduced time at appointments
	Telemedicine in lieu of in-person appointments
	Cancelled appointments including ultrasound
	Lack of trust in care
	Uncertainties around pregnancy and birth
	Need for formal supports from healthcare professionals
Occupational and financial concerns	Maternity leave logistics
	Fear of returning to the workplace
	Working on the frontline
	Feeling less productive
	Reduced income
	Concerns about unemployment
	Additional financial cost of rearing an infant
	Fear of not meeting financial commitments
Physical manifestations	Fatigue/exhaustion
	Nausea/morning sickness/hyperemesis gravidarum
	Pain and restricted mobility
	Low blood pressure
	Sleep disruption
	Managing gestational diabetes