"Hey child, why were you born when the world is almost over?": An analysis of first-time mothers' postpartum experiences during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Coatepec, Veracruz, Mexico.

Introduction: In Coatepec, Mexico, the immediate postpartum is considered a special time, called the cuarentena, when postpartum women receive critical social support and observe diet and activity pre- and proscriptions-all intended to enhance maternal-child health. This study examined how public health mandates aimed at containing COVID-19, which instructed people to socially isolate, affected women's postpartum experiences, including observing the cuarentena.

Methods: We recruited first-time mothers from the local public health clinic and collected qualitative data via a verbally administered survey that covered knowledge/perceived threat of COVID-19 and its effect on the cuarentena and maternal mood.