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.

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 Primiparous Women’s Experiences of Normal Vaginal Delivery in Iran: A Qualitative Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzieh Khamehchian ◽  
Mohsen Adib-Hajbaghery ◽  
Nastaran Heydari Khayat ◽  
Mahdieh Sabery ◽  
Mahboubeh Rezaei New
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Normal Vaginal Delivery ◽  
Spiritual Support ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Data Saturation ◽  
Primiparous Women

Abstract Primiparous Women’s Experiences of Normal Vaginal delivery in Iran: A qualitative study Abstract Background: Childbirth is considered as the most challenging psychological event in women's life. It has a powerful effect on women’s lives with long-term positive or negative impacts. Cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences can affect women’s perception about normal vaginal delivery (NVD) experience, it is necessary to explore the primiparous women's perception about it. Methods: This qualitative study with a descriptive content analysis approach was conducted in Kashan, a city in the center of Iran. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants of the current study. Data was gathered by semi-structured interviews during 24 hours after normal vaginal birth among primiparous women. The Sampling started from June to October in 2016. Interviews continued till data saturation. Data saturation was achieved in the 14th interview but for assurance, it continued until the 17th one. Results: The following three main themes were extracted "immersion in stress", "pain, the essence of NVD" and "strategies for situation management". Also, seven sub themes were obtained including 'loss threat’, ‘stressful context', temporary impairment in physiologic harmony, paradoxical emotions, self-management, emotional support, and spiritual support. Conclusions: This study showed that stress and pain were two highlighted issues in NVD process. Increasing women's awareness about NVD process and what they experience during this process, familiarizing the primiparous women with the simulated delivery room, accompanying these women for emotional support, and providing spiritual support can be effective in situation management to make the child delivery a pleasant and satisfying experience.

‘Like pulling down Durham Cathedral and building a brothel’: Women as ‘new consumer’ fans?

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacey Pope
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sports Fans ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
East Midlands ◽  
Female Sports ◽  
New Consumer

The experiences of female sports fans have been largely marginalized in academic research. This article aims to bring women’s experiences as sports fans to the fore. It also explores assumptions of homogeneity which seem to underlie much research on male and female fans. This has perhaps led to a gendered binary whereby female sports fans are often depicted as ‘new consumer’ fans and are perceived as ‘inauthentic’ in their support. Drawing on Glaser and Strauss’s (2008) ‘grounded theory’ approach, 51 semi-structured interviews were conducted with female football fans in the East Midlands city of Leicester in England. This article focuses on two themes which emerged from this research: women, football and a sense of place; and women and stadium modernization. These findings begin to explore some of the complexities of female fan attachment and emphasize the need to examine the diversity of women’s experiences as sports fans. I propose that future research on sports fandom would benefit from a greater sensitivity to heterogeneity in both men’s and women’s experiences.

scholarly journals Women’s Experiences and Perceptions of Anxiety and Stress During The Perinatal Period: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

2021 ◽  
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.Limitations. Studies were predominantly conducted in high-income countries.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 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

Women's Experiences of the Coping With Birth Trauma:A Psychoeducational Group Support Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 112-121
Author(s):  
Nicola-Jade Roberts ◽  
Julie Jomeen ◽  
Gill Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Help Seeking ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Group Support ◽  
Help Seeking Behaviors ◽  
North West ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Traumatic Birth

OBJECTIVEBetween 20%-50% of women experience birth as traumatic, with negative impacts for women, infants and families. Currently, there is a lack of evidence into supportive interventions to ameliorate women's adverse responses following a traumatic birth. In North-West UK, a 6-week psychoeducation group support program (Coping with Birth Trauma [CwBT]) was developed and delivered by two trained therapists. The course aimed to facilitate women's understanding of trauma, and to provide coping strategies; additional speakers were also invited to discuss specialist issues. The aim of this evaluation was to explore women's experiences and perceptions of the CwBT, and to identify recommendations for course development.METHODSFollowing university ethics approval, all the women who had attended a CwBT course (n = 3) were invited to take part in a telephone interview. Eight women out of a possible sample of 16 agreed to participate. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data.RESULTSTwo themes and associated sub-themes describe the social, cognitive and instrumentalcomponents of the CwBT course (“Creating a difference”) and how the course facilitated growth and help-seeking behaviors (“Growth and renewal”). The final theme “complaints and recommendations” details critical reflections and suggestions for course development. Recommendations included speakers from different therapeutic backgrounds and more opportunities for contact with women at different stages of their trauma journey.CONCLUSIONSOverall, the course was well received with positive implications for health, wellbeing and family functioning. Further and large-scale studies to assess its effectiveness are needed.

scholarly journals Sexual Assault: Indigenous Women’s Experiences of Not Being Believed by the Police

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110139
Author(s):  
Jodie Murphy-Oikonen ◽  
Lori Chambers ◽  
Karen McQueen ◽  
Alexa Hiebert ◽  
Ainsley Miller
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Sexual Victimization ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Secondary Data Analysis ◽  
Indigenous Women ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
The Way

Rates of sexual victimization among Indigenous women are 3 times higher when compared with non-Indigenous women. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to explore the experiences and recommendations of Indigenous women who reported sexual assault to the police and were not believed. This qualitative study of the experiences of 11 Indigenous women reflects four themes. The women experienced (a) victimization across the lifespan, (b) violent sexual assault, (c) dismissal by police, and (d) survival and resilience. These women were determined to voice their experience and make recommendations for change in the way police respond to sexual assault.

scholarly journals Women’s experiences of the OASI Care Bundle; a package of care to reduce severe perineal trauma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Posy Bidwell ◽  
Nick Sevdalis ◽  
Louise Silverton ◽  
James Harris ◽  
Ipek Gurol-Urganci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Form ◽  
Perineal Trauma ◽  
Care Bundle ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Good Communication ◽  
Women’S Experiences ◽  
Psychosocial Disorders ◽  
Anal Sphincter Injury ◽  
Women's Experiences ◽  
Manual Perineal Protection

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis Obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is a severe form of perineal trauma that can occur during vaginal birth. Long-term morbidities include anal incontinence and psychosocial disorders. To reduce these injuries within England, Scotland and Wales, the OASI Care Bundle was introduced to 16 maternity units (January 2017–March 2018). The OASI Care Bundle comprises four elements: (1) antenatal information, (2) manual perineal protection, (3) medio-lateral episiotomy (when indicated) and 4) recognition and diagnosis of tears. As part of the project evaluation, a qualitative study was conducted to explore women’s experiences of the OASI Care Bundle. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women (n = 19) who received the OASI Care Bundle as part of their maternity care. This was to explore their experience of each element. A thematic analysis of the interview data was performed. Results Three themes were identified: (1) memories of touch, whereby women reported that a ‘hands-on’ approach to perineal protection was a positive experience; (2) midwife as a supportive guide, where women reported that good communication facilitated a calm birth and post-birth diagnosis; (3) education: women need more information about perineal trauma. Conclusion This study contributes to the literature through its exploration of women’s experiences of perineal protection techniques and diagnosis of perineal trauma. Interviewed women indicated that they did not experience any of the care bundle elements as an intrusion of their physical integrity. Additionally, an urgent need was identified for more information about perineal trauma in terms of risk, prevention and recovery.

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