The experience of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research

Staneva, Aleksandra; Bogossian, Fiona; Wittkowski, Anja

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2015.03.015

Cited by 106 publications

(92 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The pregnancy period with hormonal fluctuations, relationship issues and entering a new role as a mother can be emotionally challenging and stressful [44] which in turn may induce emotional eating [45]. Around 10–15% of women experience postpartum depression [46], which may contribute to weight retention, for example due to eating for relief.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's Perceived Reasons for Their Excessive Postpartum Weight Retention: A Qualitative Interview Study

et al. 2016

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IntroductionObesity in Sweden has doubled to 14% over the last 20 years. New strategies for treatment and prevention are needed. Excessive gestational weight gain has been found to contribute substantially to obesity, and there is a consistent association between postpartum weight retention and obesity later in life. We aimed to explore what factors women perceive as reasons for having substantial postpartum weight retention, to identify areas for new and improved interventions.MethodsQualitative interview study (semi-structured) using an emergent design. Fifteen women, with a postpartum weight retention ≥ 10 kg, were interviewed by a trained cognitive therapist. Eight women had pre-pregnancy BMI below 30 kg/m2. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data analysed using inductive manifest content analysis. Salient text passages were extracted, shortened, coded and clustered into categories.ResultsParticipants reported no knowledge of current gestational weight gain recommendations or of risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes with excessive weight gain or postpartum weight retention. Excessive eating emerged as a common strategy to provide relief of psychological, emotional and physical discomfort, such as depression and morning sickness. Women perceived medical staff as being unconcerned about weight, and postpartum weight loss support was scarce or absent. Some women reported eating more due to a belief that breastfeeding would automatically lead to weight loss.ConclusionThere is a need to raise awareness about risks with unhealthy gestational weight development and postpartum weight retention in women of childbearing age. The common strategy to cope with psychological, emotional or physical discomfort by eating is an important factor to target with intervention. The postpartum year is a neglected period where additional follow-up on weight and weight loss support is strongly indicated.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women's Perceived Reasons for Their Excessive Postpartum Weight Retention: A Qualitative Interview Study

et al. 2016

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“…Women experienced symptoms of low self-esteem and feelings of entrapment, loss of control and loss of identity (Staneva et al 2015).…”

Section: Symptoms Of Perinatal Depressionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do women’s self-report symptoms impact on identification of perinatal mental health problems?

Jarrett

2017

JMHTEP

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Purpose -Perinatal depression is common and increases the risk of adverse outcomes for both the mother and child. Despite regular contact with midwives and GPs during the perinatal period less than 50% of women with depression are identified and treated. A number of reasons for this have been proposed, however failure of health professionals to recognise the symptoms women present with may contribute. The aims of this paper are twofold; (1) to explore women's self-report symptoms of perinatal depression and (2) understand how the symptoms women present with might impact on identification.Design/methodology/approach -Women were invited to post their experiences of perinatal depression on one of two on-line discussion forums over a nine month period. Data were analysed using a process of deductive thematic analysis informed by cognitive behavioural theory.Findings -Women's symptoms were presented using five headings; triggers (for perinatal depression), thoughts; moods; physical reactions and behaviours. Women believed having a previous mental health problem contributed to their depression.Women's self-report symptoms included intrusive and violent thoughts; emotional responses including fear, worry and anger and somatic symptoms including insomnia and weight changes. Women also reported aggressive behaviour and social withdrawal as part of their depressive symptomatology.Symptoms women present with may negatively impact on identification as they often over-lap with those of pregnancy; may not be included in the criteria for mental health assessment and may involve undesirable and socially unacceptable behaviour making disclosure difficult. Research limitations/implications -

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“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Evidences of positive effects on maternal health through perinatal interventions are convincing. Most of these researches are quantitative but qualitative studies are important for a broadened perspective on practice and research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most of these researches are quantitative but qualitative studies are important for a broadened perspective on practice and research. [3,11,28,[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] The author has developed an Eastern based meditative intervention (EBMI) for pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong. [15] The characteristic of EBMI is that through "self" meditative practice; pregnant women can have right awareness, change their mental process, train and transform their mind.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and experiences of pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong on prenatal meditation: A qualitative study

Chan¹

2015

JNEP

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Background and Objective: Quantitative research has evidences that prenatal meditation has positive effects on maternal health but lack of qualitative data in this area. This study explored the perceptions and experiences of pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong on prenatal meditation. Methods: A qualitative study. Data were collected using digitally recorded, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Setting: Prenatal meditation program (Eastern Based Meditative Intervention, EBMI) for pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong who were attending the hospital clinic for routine perinatal care. Participants: 43 participants were chosen from groups of pregnant Chinese women who attended the prenatal meditation program. Results: Six themes were developed during 1st interview when the participants first attended the course, including selfintroduction, changes during pregnancy and how to solve problems, self-reported difference in mental and social condition before and after pregnancy, acceptance of complications arise during pregnancy, beliefs about bio-psycho-socio-spiritual interaction in relation to pregnancy health and child health and reasons why they participate in the intervention. Three themes emerged from the data collected during 2nd interview at 36 weeks, including participants' opinion in practicing EBMI, effects of EBMI on bio-psycho-socio-spiritual aspects and suggestions on improvement of EBMI. Conclusions: This research adds to the overall body of knowledge that prenatal meditation is important to facilitate pregnant women in coping with physical distress, better equipped in crisis management, strengthen social relationship and result in spiritual empowerment. Incorporation of meditation in prenatal care will be a necessity in future.

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The experience of psychological distress, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research

Cited by 106 publications

References 41 publications

Women's Perceived Reasons for Their Excessive Postpartum Weight Retention: A Qualitative Interview Study

Women's Perceived Reasons for Their Excessive Postpartum Weight Retention: A Qualitative Interview Study

How do women’s self-report symptoms impact on identification of perinatal mental health problems?

Perceptions and experiences of pregnant Chinese women in Hong Kong on prenatal meditation: A qualitative study

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