The experience of being a partner to a childbearing woman whose pregnancy is complicated by pre-eclampsia: A Swedish qualitative study

Lilja Th Thorgeirsdottir; Karolina Linden; Lina Bergman; Verena Sengpiel; Viola Nyman; Helen Elden

doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100847

The experience of being a partner to a childbearing woman whose pregnancy is complicated by pre-eclampsia: A Swedish qualitative study

Sex Reprod Healthc. 2023 Jun:36:100847. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100847. Epub 2023 Apr 15.

Authors

Lilja Th Thorgeirsdottir¹, Karolina Linden², Lina Bergman³, Verena Sengpiel⁴, Viola Nyman⁵, Helen Elden⁶

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: lilja.thorgeirsdottir@gu.se.
² Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
³ Region Vastra Gotaland, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
⁴ Region Vastra Gotaland, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
⁵ Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Research and Development, NU-Hospital Group, Trollhattan, Sweden.
⁶ Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Region Vastra Gotaland, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

PMID: 37080010
DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100847

Abstract

Background: Pre-eclampsia affects 3-5% of all pregnant women and is among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as iatrogenic preterm birth worldwide. Little is known about the experience of partners of women whose pregnancy is complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Aim: To describe partners' experience of having a spouse whose pregnancy was complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Methods: A qualitative study with in-depth interviews. Eight partners of women whose pregnancy was complicated by pre-eclampsia were interviewed and data were analysed using content analysis.

Findings: Partners found themselves in an unfamiliar and unexpected situation. They experienced an information gap in which they tried to make sense of the situation by interpreting subtle signs. The situation left them feeling emotionally stretched, feeling like an outsider while trying to provide support for their extended family. The partners experienced a split focus after the baby was born, prioritising the baby while worrying about their spouse. Post-partum, they expressed needing time to process and heal after childbirth. A need for professional support was highlighted and concerns about a future pregnancy were voiced.

Conclusion: Having a spouse who is diagnosed with pre-eclampsia is challenging and overwhelming. Our findings imply a need to develop a model of care for women with pre-eclampsia that includes their partner, i.e., the other parent.

Keywords: Father; High-Risk Pregnancy; Mental health; Partner; Pre-eclampsia; Preterm birth.

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Parturition
Pre-Eclampsia* / diagnosis
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Premature Birth*
Sweden