Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the 2020 Guttmacher Survey of Reproductive Health Experiences

This report provides an initial look at newly collected data on the emerging impact of the pandemic on women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and reproductive autonomy in the United States.

It focuses on the following indicators:

  • Childbearing preferences
  • Contraceptive use
  • Access to contraception and other SRH services
  • Telemedicine for contraceptive care
  • Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV)

The authors conclude that even in the short period covered by our survey, the COVID-19 pandemic has already had an impact on women’s sexual and reproductive lives. It has affected their ability to obtain needed SRH care and contraceptive services, raised their concerns about affording and accessing this care and shifted their fertility preferences. These effects have not been evenly distributed and tend to be felt by groups bearing the brunt of existing inequities. In this way, the pandemic has illuminated systemic failings that perpetuate health and social disparities.

Source: Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the 2020 Guttmacher Survey of Reproductive Health Experiences

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    Millions More Cases of Violence, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Unintended Pregnancy Expected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

    The economic and physical disruptions caused by COVID-19 could have vast consequences for the rights and health of women and girls, a new analysis by UNFPA and partners shows.

    Significant levels of lockdown-related disruption over 6 months could leave 47 million women in low- and middle-income countries unable to use modern contraceptives, leading to a projected 7 million additional unintended pregnancies. Six months of lockdowns could result in an additional 31 million cases of gender-based violence.

    The pandemic is also expected to cause significant delays in programs to end female genital mutilation and child marriage, resulting in an estimated 2 million more cases of FGM over the next decade than would otherwise have occurred. These delayed programs, on top of growing economic hardships globally, could result in an estimated 13 million more child marriages over 10 years.

    These figures – produced in collaboration with partners Avenir Health, Johns Hopkins University (USA) and Victoria University (Australia) – are rough estimates. A great deal is still unknown about how the pandemic, and the response to it, will unfold around the world. But together, the projections offer an alarming view of the future that could confront women and girls if efforts are not urgently made to secure their welfare and ensure their rights.

    Source: Millions More Cases of Violence, Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Unintended Pregnancy Expected due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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      COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Lactation

      MotherToBaby is a non-profit organization focused on providing risk assessments to pregnant and breastfeeding women about various exposures, including infectious disease. We have created a fact sheet on COVID-19, which is updated frequently with the latest evidence-based information for pregnant and breastfeeding women who have questions about this virus. Versions are available in both English and Spanish.

      Source: COVID-19 Fact Sheets

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        WHO Advice for the Public

        This page allows users to stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority.

        Source: WHO Advice for the Public

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        COVID-19 Guidance for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

        This page includes frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy. The CDC provides information about what is known and unknown about pregnant women and infants and effects of COVID-19 during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding.

        Source: COVID-19 Guidance for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

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