Stories of social and emotional resilience among pregnant Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan migrant women during COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria, Australia: A qualitative study using photo-elicitation

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted family and community support systems that typically nurture pregnancy and birth experiences of migrant Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan women in Australia. Very little is known about how COVID-19 lockdown measures impacted Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan pregnant women living in Australia during the pandemic. Using an intersectional and resilience thinking approach, we explored the social and emotional resilience of Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan pregnant women living in Victoria, Australia during COVID-19 lockdowns. Semi-structured photo-elicitation interviews were conducted in English, Tamil and Bangla and audio-recorded in-person and virtually. Inductive thematic analysis..