A Service Evaluation into the Marked Increase of Calls by Pregnant Women/New Parents to a Volunteer Helpline During the First Covid-19 National Lockdown

‘Stay home, protect the NHS, save lives’1 was the legally binding rule issued for pregnant women on 16 March 2020. The PANDAS (Pre and Post Natal Depression Advice and Support) Foundation recognised that there was an increase in the number of calls made to their free telephone helpline. Reviewing the calls from December 2019 to May 2020 demonstrated that call volume peaked the day after this ruling. Callers reported high levels of anxiety regarding their health and pregnancy, work and financial situations. Volunteers responded by sharing online resources, demonstrating a breadth of knowledge around support services for their callers at a time when midwives and health visitors were offering very limited face-to-face contact and support.