scholarly journals Online resources and apps to aid self-diagnosis and help seeking in the perinatal period: A descriptive survey of women's experiences

Midwifery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 90 ◽  
pp. 102803
Author(s):  
Nicola Mackintosh ◽  
Shona Agarwal ◽  
Kirsty Adcock ◽  
Natalie Armstrong ◽  
Annette Briley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Online Resources ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Descriptive Survey

scholarly journals Exploring women’s experiences of identifying, negotiating and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e040731
Author(s):  
Soo Oh ◽  
Carolyn A Chew-Graham ◽  
Victoria Silverwood ◽  
Sirah Aksa Shaheen ◽  
Jacqualyn Walsh-House ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Perinatal Anxiety

ObjectivesAnxiety affects around 15% of women during the perinatal period and can adversely impact both mother and child, with potential implications for long-term health; few studies have examined women’s experiences of perinatal anxiety (PNA). In the context of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence prioritising PNA, this study aimed to explore women’s experiences of the identification and management of PNA and their engagement with healthcare professionals.DesignQualitative study with semi-structured interviews and applying thematic analysis.SettingRecruitment materials were shared widely through maternal support groups, children’s centres, libraries, National Health Service (NHS) providers (primary and secondary care) operating in the West Midlands or North West of England and through social media.ParticipantsSeventeen women (aged 25–42 years) with self-reported anxiety during pregnancy and/or up to 12 months postpartum. Interviews digitally recorded and transcribed with consent.ResultsThree main themes and corresponding sub-themes are described around a central concept of PNA as an individualised experience: barriers to disclosing PNA; help-seeking for PNA and establishing and engaging support networks. Disclosing, help-seeking and accessing systems of support were interconnected and contextualised by individualised experiences of PNA and pervaded by stigma.ConclusionsThis research provides new insights into PNA and calls for awareness to be improved to achieve parity alongside depression and avoid missed opportunities in the provision of care for women and families. Future research should seek to develop novel PNA-specific interventions aimed at prevention, management and/or combatting stigma to support more women to disclose mental health concerns and seek help early.

Intersections and Multiple ‘Candidacies’: Exploring Connections between Two Theoretical Perspectives on Domestic Abuse and Their Implications for Practicing Policy

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mhairi Mackenzie ◽  
Ellie Conway ◽  
Annette Hastings ◽  
Moira Munro ◽  
Catherine A. O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Domestic Abuse ◽  
The Political ◽  
Service Utilisation ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Literature Synthesis

Domestic abuse policy increasingly uses language which indicates that abuse is patterned according to structural factors. However, practicing according to these structural accounts of abuse is problematic because of the policy and organisational contexts that practitioners work within and, we argue, because the implications of the structured nature of victims’ experiences is not fully understood by all practitioners.We ask whether women's differential use and experiences of services with a remit to address abuse can be illuminated using two theoretical perspectives – ‘candidacy’ and intersectionality. We report the findings of a literature synthesis that investigates how these improve our understanding of women's help-seeking and service utilisation and of the responses that they receive. Both concepts were highly congruent with the literature and we conclude that, together, candidacy and intersectionality offer a means of enhancing knowledge of how the political becomes enacted in the personal. Embedding such knowledge within practice repertoires offers the potential to develop more nuanced structural understandings of women's experiences and constraints.

scholarly journals Reproductive concerns and fear of cancer recurrence: a qualitative study of women’s experiences of the perinatal period after cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Naomi Vanstone ◽  
Karen Fergus ◽  
Noor Niyar N. Ladhani ◽  
Ellen Warner
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Recurrence ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
History Of ◽  
After Cancer ◽  
History Of Cancer

Abstract Background Young female cancer survivors are at a disproportionate risk of suffering significant psychological distress following treatment, particularly fears of cancer recurrence (FCR). While previous research has established the robust relationship between FCR and family matters (e.g., family planning and motherhood), there is a paucity of information about how a history of cancer affects women’s psychological functioning throughout the perinatal period. The present investigation sought to better understand women’s experiences of pregnancy and the postpartum period following cancer treatment through a qualitative analysis. Methods Ten women participated in a semi-structured, one-on-one interview either over telephone or video conferencing (Zoom). Women were recruited from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, as well as through online cancer support platforms, and social media sites. Participants all had a past cancer diagnosis; no active disease; were 45-years of age or younger; currently in the perinatal period; and spoke English fluently. The study employed a grounded theory analysis by which verbatim interview data were analysed using a constant comparison method until data saturation was reached. Results The qualitative analysis yielded I’m So Happy, But Also Terrified, as the core category, indicative of the duality of emotional experience that characterized the perinatal period for these women. Additionally, four higher-order categories emerged revealing how women go through a process of grief related to potential fertility loss; conditional joy during and after pregnancy due to the lingering weight of cancer; frustration with a lack of resources regarding perinatal health after cancer; and hope as they enter into motherhood. Conclusion These results suggest that women in the perinatal period with a history of cancer may be at an increased risk for psychological distress and require additional fertility and reproductive resources both during and after cancer treatment. This research is an important step in further understanding women’s experiences of pregnancy after cancer and may help to inform future research and healthcare practices, in addition to improving perinatal care after cancer.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences and perceptions of anxiety and stress during the perinatal period: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan McCarthy ◽  
Catherine Houghton ◽  
Karen Matvienko-Sikar
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Perinatal Period ◽  
Transitional Period ◽  
Qualitative Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Qualitative Evidence ◽  
Perinatal Anxiety

Abstract Background The perinatal period, from pregnancy to the first year postpartum, is a transitional period that can result in anxiety and stress for some women. Perinatal anxiety and stress can adversely impact the physical and psychological health of women and children. Understanding women’s lived experiences of perinatal anxiety and stress is essential to better support women. The aim of this qualitative evidence synthesis was to examine women’s experiences and perceptions of, and barriers and facilitators to coping with, perinatal anxiety and stress. Methods Databases CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Maternity and Infant Care were searched from inception to June 2020. Eligible studies included women who were pregnant or up to one year postpartum and examined women’s experiences of anxiety and/or stress during the perinatal period. Data were synthesised using thematic synthesis. Results Of 20,318 identified articles, 13 studies met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Five key themes emerged: Social support, women’s experiences of healthcare, social norms and expectations, factors that impact on coping and mother and baby’s health. Conclusion This review provided a comprehensive synthesis of perinatal anxiety and stress. Findings indicate that increased support for perinatal mental health in antenatal and postpartum care is needed. Addressing unrealistic expectations and conceptualisations of motherhood is also important to better support women. Enhancing women’s social support networks and provision of clear and consistent information are also essential to support women and minimise stress and anxiety in the perinatal period.

scholarly journals Searching for help online: An analysis of peer-to-peer posts on a male-only infertility forum

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 917-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmée Hanna ◽  
Brendan Gough
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Peer To Peer ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Reproductive Research

Men’s experiences of infertility help seeking are under-researched and thus less widely understood than women’s experiences, with men’s needs for support often missing from reproductive research knowledge. This article presents a thematic analysis of peer-to-peer posts within the context of a UK men-only online infertility forum. The key themes demonstrate that men value male support from those with experience, and that masculinity influences help-seeking requests and men’s accounts more broadly. We highlight the value of such online communities in offering support to men in need while recognising the importance of further research across other online settings in order to inform practice around supporting men in the reproductive realm.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences, beliefs and knowledge of urinary symptoms in the postpartum period and the perceptions of health professionals: a grounded theory study

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (05) ◽  
pp. 448-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann R. Wagg ◽  
Sally Kendall ◽  
Frances Bunn
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Pelvic Floor Muscle ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Antenatal Clinic ◽  
Urinary Symptoms ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences

AimThis study aimed to explore, describe and enhance understanding of women’s experiences, beliefs and knowledge of urinary symptoms in thepostpartumperiod and also sought to understand the perceptions of health professionals of these issues.BackgroundWomen often take no action with regard to urinary symptoms particularly in the postnatal period, which can lead to the adoption of coping mechanisms or normalisation of symptoms. The true prevalence is difficult to assess due to differing age groups and time spans in studies. There is only a small body of work available to try to understand the lack of action on the part of the women, and even less around the attitudes of health professionals.MethodsGrounded theory was selected for a qualitative inductive approach, to attempt to understand the social processes involved and generate new knowledge by examining the different interactions. Recruitment was by theoretical sampling. In total, 15 women were interviewed and two focus groups of health professionals were undertaken. In addition, an antenatal clinic and a postnatal mothers group were observed. All information was analysed manually using constant comparison.FindingsThe findings revealed that at times poor communication, lack of clear education and the power of relative’s stories of the past were barriers to help seeking, and were disempowering women, creating a climate for normalisation. Women were willing to talk but preferred the health professional to initiate discussion. In addition, health professionals were concerned about a lack of time and knowledge and were uncertain of the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercises due to some research indicating improvement may not be maintained over time. The core category was; ‘overcoming barriers to facilitate empowerment’, indicating that improving communication and education could reduce barriers and enable them to seek help.

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