en Women Health Women Health پژوهشي Research <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Introduction</b>: Infectious diseases and the related pandemics are one of the health problems of human societies, and especially affect various aspects of health of pregnant women as a high-risk population. Given the importance of pregnancy period, the present study aimed to explain the self-care behaviors of pregnant women during the COVID-19.</span></span><br> <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Materials & Methods</b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: </span></span></b>The present qualitative study was conducted among pregnant women in Ilam city using conventional content analysis method. Using purposive sampling method, 16 pregnant women were studied and data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Simultaneously with the collection, data were analyzed using conventional content analysis method. MAXQDA version 10 software was used for data management.<span lang="FA" dir="RTL" style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Results</b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: &nbsp;</span></span></b>The average age of the participants and the average gestational age were 30 years and 38 weeks, respectively. Three main themes were extracted: 1- Self-care against illness, 2- Negative effects of the pandemic on pregnancy, and 3- Changes in the care system, and 8 categories.</span></span><br> <span style="font-size:9pt"><span minion="" pro="" style="font-family:"><b>Conclusion</b><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: &nbsp;</span></span></b>The results of the study show that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a new style of self-care and health care in pregnant women. To improve the health of this vulnerable group, health policies during the crisis need to focus on strengthening virtual care, psychological support, and equitable access to servicesThe implementation of these strategies requires intersectoral cooperation, financial resources, and education of stakeholders.</span></span><br> &nbsp; Pregnant women, self-care behaviors, COVID-19, policy brief 37 41 http://jhsp.medilam.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-67-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 nasibeh sharifi nasibe.sharifi@yahoo.com 1003194753284600319 0000000207342463 No Associate Professor of Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran. anvar sadat nayebi nia anvar.nayebi@gmail.com 1003194753284600320 1003194753284600320 No Assistant Professor of Reproductive Health, Department of Midwifery, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Afsaneh Raiesifar a.raiesifar@gmail.com 1003194753284600321 1003194753284600321 Yes Associate Professor of Nursing, Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran