Pregnancy and Coping during the COVID-19 Virus Pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Severe global crises and serious physical health threat for the entire humanity in a form of the COVID-19 virus pandemic is still shaking the world. Pandemic caused an unimagined and abrupt changes dictated by measures prescribed to counteract the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The virus and its aftermaths alongside with worldwide imposed restrictions and lockdowns pose serious threat for psychological health and wellbeing. The government of Bosnia and Herzegovina also prescribed and introduced COVID-19 measures resulting in poor services and necessary support reflecting the state’s and system’s weakness. Pandemic measures resulted not only in citizens’ fear of being infected but more the fear of the poor health care system and economic insecurity impacting different groups differently. Particularly vulnerable to physical and mental health problems are those with a history of chronic diseases, but also pregnant women and new mothers. This qualitative research aims to investigate issues and challenges pregnant women in Bosnia face during the pandemic and coping strategies they apply to manage and face its aftermaths. The sample of total N=15 pregnant women from Bosnia and Herzegovina was recruited in this research. The participants were between 25 and 41 years old. Study results indicate that facing the COVID-19 pandemic whilst pregnant is not only a great source of stress and challenges for pregnant women but also an opportunity to thrive and progress due to positive coping resource. Pregnant women reported presence of positive religious coping as the main resource and coping strategy they use to face and deal with the pandemic. Positive religious coping is manifested in the participants’ perception of the pandemic as a temptation from God, the participants having faith as a source of strength, the connection with God during the pandemic and praying to God to protect them and their families. Therefore, it is of immense importance to recognize, in a timely manner, the mental health challenges and difficulties encountered by pregnant women and young mothers and address them adequately through formal and informal support systems.