Pregnancy gone wrong: Women's experiences of care in relation to coping with a medical complication in pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To understand the experiences of twelve New Zealand women with medical complications in pregnancy. Method: Inductive, semantic, qualitative analysis was employed to obtain an in-depth insight into the experience of having a medical complication during pregnancy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with twelve women. Six had been hospitalised during their pregnancy, while a further six were recruited from outpatient settings. Findings: Five themes were identified: pregnancy distressing and overshadowed by complications; unpredictability and the need for control; importance of the relationship with midwives; disempowerment in hospital; and lessons learnt on the importance of support. Key conclusions: Medical complications during pregnancy can be extremely stressful and women feel particularly vulnerable during this time. Midwives play a key role in supporting women through the process of coping with a pregnancy marked by illness and uncertainty. Implications for practice: Midwives can play a unique role in translating medical jargon and providing emotional guidance and support. A midwife who is engaged and responsive to a woman’s needs has the ability to lower distress at this critical juncture in the development of a woman and her family.