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Boakye DS, Amoah VMK, Amoah C, Boateng AA, Aduomi-Botchwey CO, Bamfo F, Boampong J. Eclampsia or epilepsy? The intriguing experiences of pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia and eclampsia: A descriptive exploratory study. SAGE Open Med 2024; 12:20503121241271768. [PMID: 39139267 PMCID: PMC11320684 DOI: 10.1177/20503121241271768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of pregnant women who suffer the stressful effects of preeclampsia and eclampsia through pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. Methods A descriptive exploratory approach was adopted to gather in-depth data from women diagnosed with preeclampsia and eclampsia during pregnancy from February to March 2022. Purposive sampling was used to enlist 12 participants from a Municipal Hospital in the Ahafo region of Ghana. Data were analyzed thematically following Braun and Clark approach. Results The study found that women had strong negative emotional reactions after being diagnosed with preeclampsia or eclampsia. They frequently felt guilty, angry, scared, in denial, or disbelief about their condition. Many women held mistaken beliefs about the diseases (they misconstrued eclampsia to be epilepsy) and isolated themselves, mainly because of false perceptions and stigma around their illness in the community. Participants expressed unfulfilled needs for informational and emotional support. The information they received about their condition was insufficient, contradictory, and confusing. Some women also felt pressured into having cesarean deliveries without enough discussion or say in the decision-making process. Conclusion These findings reveal important psychosocial impacts of preeclampsia/eclampsia and gaps in condition-specific education and empathetic, patient-centered communication. Improving provider knowledge and counseling skills along with community awareness may help address these unmet needs among Ghanaian women facing this threat to maternal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Serwaa Boakye
- Department of Health Administration and Education, University of Education, Winneba, Winneba, Ghana
| | - Vida Maame Kissiwaa Amoah
- Department of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Christian Amoah
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Agartha Afful Boateng
- Department of Health Administration and Education, University of Education, Winneba, Winneba, Ghana
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Wilpers AB, Francis K, Powne AB, Somers L, Ren Y, Kohari K, Lorch SA. Differences in Person-Centered Care in Fetal Care Centers: Results from the U.S. Pilot Study of the PCC-FCC Scale. J Pers Med 2024; 14:772. [PMID: 39064026 PMCID: PMC11278169 DOI: 10.3390/jpm14070772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We report findings from a U.S. mixed-methods pilot study of the Person-Centered Care in Fetal Care Centers (PCC-FCC) Scale. METHODS Participants, who received care at a U.S. Fetal Care Center (FCC) between 2017 and 2021, completed an online questionnaire providing sociodemographic details, specifics about the care received, qualitative experiences, and scores from the PCC-FCC Scale. RESULTS Participants' (n = 247) PCC-FCC scores and qualitative feedback indicate high perceived person-centered care (PCC), particularly in areas of care coordination, respectful care, and patient education. However, 8% scored below the midpoint, and 38% of comments were negative, especially regarding expectation setting, preparation for post-intervention maternal health, and psychosocial support. Public insurance was associated with higher total PCC-FCC (p = 0.03) and Factor 2 scores (p = 0.02) compared to those with private insurance. The qualitative themes trust, clarity, comprehensive care, compassion, and belonging further elucidate the concept of PCC in FCCs. CONCLUSION The PCC-FCC Scale pilot study revealed strong overall PCC in FCCs, yet variability in patient experiences suggests areas needing improvement, including expectation setting, preparation for post-intervention maternal health, and psychosocial support. Future research must prioritize diverse samples and continued mixed methodologies to better understand the role of insurance and identify other potential disparities, ensuring comprehensive representation of the FCC patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail B. Wilpers
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Fetal Therapy Nurse Network, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
- North American Fetal Therapy Network, Roseville, MN 55113, USA
- St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Katie Francis
- Fetal Therapy Nurse Network, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
- North American Fetal Therapy Network, Roseville, MN 55113, USA
- St. Louis Fetal Care Institute, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Amy B. Powne
- Fetal Therapy Nurse Network, Chicago, IL 60604, USA
- North American Fetal Therapy Network, Roseville, MN 55113, USA
- UC Davis Fetal Care and Treatment Center, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | | | - Yunyi Ren
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA 95616, USA
| | - Katherine Kohari
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Fetal Care Center, Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Scott A. Lorch
- Division of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Lissmann R, Lokot M, Marston C. Understanding the lived experience of pregnancy and birth for survivors of rape and sexual assault. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:796. [PMID: 37974064 PMCID: PMC10652570 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-06085-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One in five women in the UK are survivors of rape and sexual assault, and four in five women will give birth. This implies that a substantial number of women experience rape and sexual assault before pregnancy. We highlight and explore the voices and lived experiences of survivors during pregnancy and birth, to better understand the relationship between sexual violence, biomedicine, and pregnancy and to inform maternity care practice. METHODS This qualitative research took an intersectional feminist approach. We conducted in-depth individual interviews in England with fourteen women who self-identified as survivors of rape or sexual assault, and who had experienced pregnancy and birth after the assault. We conducted open line-by-line coding of the interview transcripts, and identified key themes and sub-themes inductively. RESULTS Three themes help summarise the narratives: control, safety and trauma. Maintaining a sense of control was important to survivors but they often reported objectification by healthcare staff and lack of consent or choice about healthcare decisions. Participants' preferences for giving birth were often motivated by their desire to feel in control and avoid triggering traumatic memories of the sexual assault. Survivors felt safer when they trusted staff. Many participants said it was important for staff to know they were survivors but none were asked about this. Pregnancy and birth experiences were triggering when they mirrored the assault, for instance if the woman was prevented from moving. Many of our participants reported having unmet mental health care needs before, during or after pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Survivors of sexual violence have specific maternity care needs. For our participants, these needs were often not met, leading to negative or traumatic experiences of pregnancy and birth. Systemic biases and poor birth experience jeopardise both psychological and physical safety. Funding for maternity and mental health services must be improved, so that they meet minimum staffing and care standards. Maternity services should urgently introduce trauma-informed models of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lissmann
- Queen Mary University of London, Yvonne Carter Building, 58 Turner Street, London, E1 2AB, England.
| | - Michelle Lokot
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, England
| | - Cicely Marston
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, England
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Keten Edis E, Kurtgöz A. Care experiences and care expectations of hospitalized high-risk pregnant women: a qualitative study. Women Health 2023; 63:704-712. [PMID: 37758687 DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2023.2262614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Gaining insight into the prenatal care experiences and expectations of high-risk pregnant women is crucial for offering holistic care that aligns with their individualized needs. This study aimed at determining the care experiences and expectations of women with high-risk pregnancies. We adopted a descriptive qualitative approach in the research. The data were collected through in-depth interviews between March and June 2022. The participants included 27 high-risk pregnant women selected by purposive sampling. We analyzed the data using inductive content analysis. We utilized the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist to report data. The participants' ages ranged from 22 to 40 years. The participants' gestational ages ranged from 29 to 38 weeks. We identified three themes, namely "Emotions felt in the course of pregnancy", "Care experiences; satisfaction and dissatisfaction", and "Expectations for ideal care". The findings showed that women experienced fear, stress, and anxiety while expecting supportive, attentive, and understanding care during the course of pregnancy. Our results revealed that high-risk pregnant women have some unmet care needs. Healthcare professionals should strive to provide individualized and holistic care for high-risk pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Keten Edis
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Aslı Kurtgöz
- Sabuncuoglu Serefeddin Health Services Vocational School, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
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Goldblatt Hyatt ED, McCoyd JLM. Counseling pregnant people after previous termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA): the double RAINBOW approach. ANXIETY, STRESS, AND COPING 2023; 36:259-273. [PMID: 35234560 DOI: 10.1080/10615806.2022.2047179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pregnancy loss is exceptionally common, yet there exist few interventions for clinical providers to assist parents who are expecting again. Perhaps even less prevalent are practice models for parents who have terminated a pregnancy due to fetal anomaly (TOPFA). In this article, we present the "Double Rainbow" acronym, which provides evidence-supported guidance for counseling people experiencing a subsequent pregnancy after TOPFA. DESIGN AND METHODS Using prompts of: Remember; Rehearse & Anticipate; Attach & Internalize; Interrogate decision; Neutralize; Normalize; Bond; Breathe & Observe; Optimize health; Weave and Whole story, we tie intervention techniques to evidence-based treatments and clinical practice examples. RESULTS Filling a gap for guidance for effective intervention with people during subsequent pregnancies after termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly, we aim to improve such treatment while also encouraging evaluation of the approach, encouraging evaluation of its use with broader populations. CONCLUSIONS The double RAINBOW approach weaves together evidence-based therapies while also attending to the work of distinguishing past losses and promoting parental attachment and caregiving systems in clients who have terminated a pregnancy due to fetal anomaly.
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Hinton L, Dumelow C, Hodgkinson J, Montgomery C, Martin A, Allen C, Tucker K, Green ME, Wilson H, McManus RJ, Chappell LC, Band R. 'Nesting networks': Women's experiences of social network support in high-risk pregnancy. Midwifery 2023; 120:103622. [PMID: 36893551 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2023.103622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Social support, an individual's social relationships (both online and offline), may provide protection against adverse mental health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, which are high in women who have been hospitalised with high-risk pregnancy. This study explored the social support available to women at higher risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy by examining personal social networks. DESIGN Semi-structured interviews were accompanied by social network mapping using the web-based social networking tool GENIE. SETTING England. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one women were recruited, of whom 18 were interviewed both during pregnancy and postnatally between April 2019 and April 2020. Nineteen women completed maps pre-natally, 17 women completed maps pre-natally and post-natally. Women were taking part in the BUMP study, a randomised clinical trial that included 2441 pregnant individuals at higher risk of preeclampsia and recruited at a mean of 20 weeks' gestation from 15 hospital maternity units in England between November 2018 and October 2019. RESULTS Women's social networks tightened during pregnancy. The inner network changed most dramatically postnatally with women reporting fewer network members. Interviews revealed networks were primarily 'real-life' rather than online social networks, with members providing emotional, informational, and practical support. Women with a high-risk pregnancy valued the relationships they developed with health professionals during pregnancy, and would like their midwife to have a more central role in their networks by providing informational and, where needed, emotional support. The social network mapping data supported the qualitative accounts of changing networks across high-risk pregnancy. CONCLUSION Women with a high-risk pregnancy seek to build "nesting networks" to support them through pregnancy into motherhood. Different types of support are sought from trusted sources. Midwives can play a key role. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS As well as highlighting other potential needs during pregnancy and the ways in which they can be met, support from midwives has a key role. Through talking to women early in their pregnancy, signposting information and explaining ways to contact health professionals regarding informational or emotional support would fill a gap that currently is met by other aspects of their network.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Hinton
- The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute, University of Cambridge.
| | - C Dumelow
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - J Hodgkinson
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - C Montgomery
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - A Martin
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - C Allen
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. SO17 1BJ
| | - K Tucker
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | | | - H Wilson
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London
| | - R J McManus
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - L C Chappell
- Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, London
| | - R Band
- School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. SO17 1BJ
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Emotion management of women at risk for premature birth: The association with optimism and social support. Appl Nurs Res 2022; 64:151568. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2022.151568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Emotion regulation during pregnancy: a call to action for increased research, screening, and intervention. Arch Womens Ment Health 2022; 25:527-531. [PMID: 35015146 PMCID: PMC8748524 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-022-01204-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
This paper serves as a call to action for increased focus on emotion regulation during pregnancy. We make this case by summarizing the limited research to date on this topic, which has demonstrated that emotion regulation in pregnant people has important mental health, caregiving, and developmental correlates throughout the perinatal period. Given its crosscutting and modifiable nature, bolstering emotion regulation during pregnancy has the potential for considerable intergenerational consequences, and it is critical to further investigate this construct.
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"You're a 'high-risk' customer": A qualitative study of women's experiences of receiving information from health professionals regarding health problems or complications in pregnancy. Women Birth 2021; 35:e477-e486. [PMID: 34974953 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Experiencing complications in pregnancy is stressful for women and can impact on fetal and maternal outcomes. Supportive encounters with health professionals can reduce the worry women experience. Further research is needed to understand women's perspectives on communicating with their healthcare providers about their concerns. AIM This study explored women's experiences of receiving information about pregnancy complications from healthcare providers and their interactions with multiple professionals and services during pregnancy. METHODS This was a qualitative interpretive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women experiencing pregnancy complications recruited from antenatal services at two hospitals in Sydney. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. FINDINGS Women had a range of reactions to their diagnoses, including concern for their baby, for themselves and for their labour. Most women reported that communication with healthcare providers was distressing, they were not listened to and staff used insensitive, abrupt language. Women were also distressed by delays in education, receiving contradictory information and having to repeatedly share their stories with different health professionals. In some cases, this damaged the therapeutic relationship and reduced trust towards healthcare providers. Midwives were generally preferred over doctors because they had a more woman-centred approach. CONCLUSION To improve women's experiences of care for pregnancy complications, it is critical to improve the communication skills of maternity service providers. Women's need for information, resources and support can best be provided by continuity of care with a named health professional, for example, a midwife working within an integrated multidisciplinary antenatal service model.
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Aspectos psicossociais da gestação de alto risco. PSICO 2021. [DOI: 10.15448/1980-8623.2021.4.36341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A gestação de alto risco é caracterizada por ser um momento em que a vida ou a saúde da mãe e/ou do feto e/ou do recém-nascido está submetida a maiores chances de morte que a média da população considerada. O estudo objetivou apresentar dados sobre o perfil de gestantes de alto risco e identificar os aspectos psicossociais ligados à gravidez. A amostra foi composta por 74 mulheres grávidas em um hospital no município de Juiz de Fora, MG. Elas responderam ao PHQ-2, a EPSS, ao IDATE, ao ASSIST e a um questionário sociodemográfico e clínico. Foi possível observar a prevalência de sintomas de depressão, ansiedade, baixo suporte social e uso de substâncias na população avaliada. As análises confirmaram correlações entre características sociodemográficas, clínicas e aspetos psicossociais. Os resultados demonstram a relevância de se conhecer o perfil dessas mulheres para a melhora na elaboração de estratégias de suporte direcionadas ao enfrentamento de possíveis fatores que possam interferir no bom andamento da gestação.
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Ralston ER, Smith P, Chilcot J, Silverio SA, Bramham K. Perceptions of risk in pregnancy with chronic disease: A systematic review and thematic synthesis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254956. [PMID: 34280227 PMCID: PMC8289065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with chronic disease are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancies which pose higher risk, often require increased medical supervision and intervention. How women perceive their pregnancy risk and its impact on health behaviour is poorly understood. The aim of this systematic review of qualitative literature is to evaluate risk perceptions of pregnancy in women with chronic disease. METHODS Eleven electronic databases including grey literature were systematically searched for qualitative studies published in English which reported on pregnancy, risk perception and chronic disease. Full texts were reviewed by two researchers, independently. Quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative checklist and data were synthesised using a thematic synthesis approach. The analysis used all text under the findings or results section from each included paper as data. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO. RESULTS Eight studies were included in the review. Three themes with sub-themes were constructed from the analysis including: Information Synthesis (Sub-themes: Risk to Self and Risk to Baby), Psychosocial Factors (Sub-themes: Emotional Response, Self-efficacy, Healthcare Relationship), and Impact on Behaviour (Sub-themes: Perceived Risk and Objective Risk). Themes fitted within an overarching concept of Balancing Act. The themes together inter-relate to understand how women with chronic disease perceive their risk in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Women's pregnancy-related behaviour and engagement with healthcare services appear to be influenced by their perception of pregnancy risk. Women with chronic disease have risk perceptions which are highly individualised. Assessment and communication of women's pregnancy risk should consider their own understanding and perception of risk. Different chronic diseases introduce diverse pregnancy risks and further research is needed to understand women's risk perceptions in specific chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Ralston
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Priscilla Smith
- Department of Renal Medicine, King’s Kidney Care Centre, King’s College Hospital, National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Chilcot
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sergio A. Silverio
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Bramham
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Medicine, King’s Kidney Care Centre, King’s College Hospital, National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Anxiety and depression in women hospitalized due to high-risk pregnancy: An integrative quantitative and qualitative study. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-01902-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
AbstractLiterature has shown that hospitalized women with high-risk pregnancy tend to develop anxious and depressive symptoms. Research has used quantitative or qualitative methods. By integrating both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study aims to analyze: a) the level of depression, anxiety, and pregnancy-related anxiety in a group of women hospitalized with high-risk pregnancy (hospitalized high-risk) compared with a group of non-hospitalized women with low-risk pregnancy; b) the content of hospitalization-related emotions in a high-risk group. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 hospitalized high-risk pregnant women and 32 women with low-risk pregnancy. Participants completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Anxiety), and Pregnancy Related Anxiety Questionnaire. The hospitalized high-risk group also completed open-ended questions about emotions experienced during hospitalization. Univariate Analysis of Covariance showed that the hospitalized high-risk group reported higher general anxiety and depression than the low-risk pregnancy group. Low-risk group reported higher level of concerns about own appearance than high-risk group. Narratives showed that the anxious and depressive symptoms of hospitalized women are related to the loneliness of being away from family. Despite attempts to understand hospitalization, they express concerns about pregnancy. Psychological support for hospitalized pregnant women should be provided to facilitate the communication of emotions that leads women to elaborate the experience of hospitalization to better adapt and cope with the critical condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn M. Szymanski
- Department of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
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