Preeclampsia from a Patient Perspective
Författare
Summary, in Swedish
Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Although antenatal care can identify women at risk, limited research has explored women's experiences with preeclampsia despite itssignificant impact.
Aim: This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences with preeclampsia in order to
improve clinical care, support, and mental health outcomes. This includes assessing the quality of care and information provided, examining the emotional and psychological effects of preeclampsia on both women and their partners during the postpartum period, as well as evaluating the accuracy of an innovative home blood pressure monitoring mobile phone application during pregnancy.
Methods: Studies I & II: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 9 and 15 women, respectively, and
analyzed using phenomenological and manifest content methods. Study III: A longitudinal study with 37
women and 13 partners examined depression, anxiety, and co-parenting at 2 and 6 months postpartum
using mixed linear models. Study IV: The Anura™ application for blood pressure monitoring was evaluated
in normotensive, high-risk, and preeclamptic pregnancies using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.
Results: Studies I & II: Women described preeclampsia as distressing and unexpected. They cited a lack of
consistent information and significant stress from being separated from their newborns. They emphasized
the need for clear, repeated communication and tailored support. Study III: Rates of postnatal depression
and anxiety were comparable to those in normotensive populations. Support and closeness in co-parenting
were associated with improved mental health outcomes. Conversely, women whose partners reported low
levels of perceived support experienced increased anxiety. Study IV: The Anura™ application demonstrated
accuracy in normotensive pregnancies but was less reliable in high-risk pregnancies and cases of
preeclampsia, showing significant discrepancies in blood pressure readings. Most women expressed a
possitiv experience of using the Anura application.
Conclusions: Improved care for preeclampsia requires standardized, individualized support and clear
communication throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Co-parenting support should involve
both parents in order to enhance mental health outcomes. While the Anura™ application shows promise
for use in normotensive pregnancies, it is not yet reliable for clinical use in high-risk pregnancies or
preeclampsia.
Aim: This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences with preeclampsia in order to
improve clinical care, support, and mental health outcomes. This includes assessing the quality of care and information provided, examining the emotional and psychological effects of preeclampsia on both women and their partners during the postpartum period, as well as evaluating the accuracy of an innovative home blood pressure monitoring mobile phone application during pregnancy.
Methods: Studies I & II: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 9 and 15 women, respectively, and
analyzed using phenomenological and manifest content methods. Study III: A longitudinal study with 37
women and 13 partners examined depression, anxiety, and co-parenting at 2 and 6 months postpartum
using mixed linear models. Study IV: The Anura™ application for blood pressure monitoring was evaluated
in normotensive, high-risk, and preeclamptic pregnancies using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.
Results: Studies I & II: Women described preeclampsia as distressing and unexpected. They cited a lack of
consistent information and significant stress from being separated from their newborns. They emphasized
the need for clear, repeated communication and tailored support. Study III: Rates of postnatal depression
and anxiety were comparable to those in normotensive populations. Support and closeness in co-parenting
were associated with improved mental health outcomes. Conversely, women whose partners reported low
levels of perceived support experienced increased anxiety. Study IV: The Anura™ application demonstrated
accuracy in normotensive pregnancies but was less reliable in high-risk pregnancies and cases of
preeclampsia, showing significant discrepancies in blood pressure readings. Most women expressed a
possitiv experience of using the Anura application.
Conclusions: Improved care for preeclampsia requires standardized, individualized support and clear
communication throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Co-parenting support should involve
both parents in order to enhance mental health outcomes. While the Anura™ application shows promise
for use in normotensive pregnancies, it is not yet reliable for clinical use in high-risk pregnancies or
preeclampsia.
Publiceringsår
2025
Språk
Svenska
Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation
Issue
2025:22
Fulltext
Dokumenttyp
Doktorsavhandling
Förlag
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine
Ämne
- Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine
Nyckelord
- Blood pressure, Coparenting, Experience, Mental health, Partners, Pregnant women, Pregnancy hypertension, postpartum Anxiety, postpartum Depression, postpartum
Aktiv
Published
Forskningsgrupp
- Unit for translational obstetric research
ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt
- ISSN: 1652-8220
- ISBN: 978-91-8021-675-3
Försvarsdatum
7 mars 2025
Försvarstid
09:00
Försvarsplats
Kvinnoklinikens aula, Jan Waldenströms gata 47, Skånes Universitetssjukhus i Malmö
Opponent
- Mirjam Lukasse (Professor)