University of AkureyriLalor, J.Ayers, S.Celleja Agius, J.Downe, S.Gouni, O.Hartmann, K.Nieuwenhuijze, M.Oosterman, M.Turner, J. D.Karlsdottir, Sigfríður IngaHorsch, A.2025-11-142025-11-142021-10Lalor, J, Ayers, S, Celleja Agius, J, Downe, S, Gouni, O, Hartmann, K, Nieuwenhuijze, M, Oosterman, M, Turner, J D, Karlsdottir, S I & Horsch, A 2021, 'Balancing restrictions and access to maternity care for women and birthing partners during the COVID-19 pandemic : The psychosocial impact of suboptimal care', BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, vol. 128, no. 11, pp. 1720-1725. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.168441470-0328369172105cfd53dc-eef4-4b0a-bdb7-9f151e7ff2308511173291434268858https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/5718Funding Information: Online Open publication funded by COST Action 18211.1 Maternity services across Europe during the pandemic has undergone changes to limit virus transmission; however, many changes are not evidence-based. 2 Although these changes were introduced to keep women, babies and healthcare staff safe, the exclusion of companions and the separation of mothers and babies is particularly antithetical to a human rights-based approach to quality care. 3 A poll of COST Action 18211 network members showed that inconsistency in the application of restrictions was high, and there were significant deviations from the recommendations of authoritative bodies. 4 Concerns have emerged that restrictions in practice may have longer term negative impacts on mothers and their families and, in particular, may impact on the long-term health of babies. 5 When practice changes deviate from evidence-based frameworks that underpin quality care, they must be monitored, appraised and evaluated to minimise unintended iatrogenic effects.63484041720-1725eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessMaternity careCOVID-19Quality careRestrictionsPatient Acceptance of Health Care/psychologyEuropeHumansParturition/psychologyFamily/psychologyInfection ControlWomen's Rights/ethicsMaternal Health Services/ethicsPregnancySARS-CoV-2Health Services Accessibility/ethicsCOVID-19/prevention & controlFemalePregnant Women/psychologyQuality of Health Care/ethicsObstetrics and GynecologySDG 2 - Zero HungerSDG 6 - Clean Water and SanitationSDG 3 - Good Health and Well-beingSDG 4 - Quality EducationSDG 1 - No PovertySDG 5 - Gender EqualitySDG 10 - Reduced InequalitiesSDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesSDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and ProductionSDG 13 - Climate ActionSDG 14 - Life Below WaterSDG 15 - Life on LandSDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsSDG 17 - Partnerships for the GoalsSDG 7 - Affordable and Clean EnergySDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic GrowthSDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/comment10.1111/1471-0528.16844