Care and self-reported outcomes of care experienced by women with mental health problems in pregnancy: findings from a national survey

Henderson, Jane; Jomeen, Julie; Redshaw, Maggie

Abstract

Background mental health problems in pregnancy and the postnatal period are relatively common and, in pregnancy, are associated with an increase in adverse outcome. It is recommended that all women are asked about their emotional and mental health and offered treatment if appropriate. Objectives to describe the care received by women self-identifying with mental health problems in pregnancy, and to describe the effects of support, advice and treatment on outcomes in the postnatal period. Design this study used cross-sectional survey data collected in 2014 which described women's experience of maternity care. Setting England Participants a random sample of women who had a live birth in January 2014. Measurements the questionnaire asked about sociodemographic characteristics, whether women were asked about emotional and mental health in pregnancy, support and treatment offered, about postnatal wellbeing, and questions relating to attachment to their baby. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to examine the associations between mental health and outcomes taking account of sociodemographic characteristics. Findings the survey response rate was 47%. Women with antenatal mental health problems were significantly more worried at the prospect of labour and birth, had lower satisfaction with the experience of birth, worse postnatal mental health, and indications of poorer attachment to their baby. They received substantially more care than other women but they did not always view this positively. Support, advice and treatment for mental health problems had mixed effects. Conclusions this study describes the significant additional care provided to women self-identifying with mental health problems in pregnancy, the mixed effects of support, advice and treatment, and the poor perception of staff interaction among women with mental health problems. Implications for practice health care professionals may need additional training to effectively support women with mental health problems during the perinatal period.

Citation

Henderson, J., Jomeen, J., & Redshaw, M. (2018). Care and self-reported outcomes of care experienced by women with mental health problems in pregnancy: findings from a national survey. Midwifery, 56, 171-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.10.020

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 26, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 27, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 10, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 10, 2017
• Journal: Midwifery
• Print ISSN: 0266-6138
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 56
• Pages: 171-178
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.10.020
• Keywords: Perinatal mental health, Maternity care, Perceptions of care
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/456452
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613817304539?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Care and self-reported outcomes of care experienced by women with mental health problems in pregnancy: Findings from a national survey; Journal Title: Midwifery; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.10.020; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
• Contract Date: Nov 10, 2017