Pregnancy experiences of Western Australian women attending a specialist childbirth and mental illness antenatal clinic

Health Care Women Int. 2013;34(5):380-94. doi: 10.1080/07399332.2012.736577.

Abstract

Our purpose was to explore the pregnancy experiences of Australian women attending a specialized childbirth and mental illness (CAMI) antenatal clinic. A qualitative exploratory design was selected to give voice to women with severe mental illness receiving antenatal care. Telephone interviews with 41 women, 24 primiparous and 17 multiparous, were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes emerged: "building relationships," "acknowledging me as a person with special needs," and "respecting and understanding without stigma." Findings offer insight into care experiences possible within a multidisciplinary model developed to address psychiatric and obstetric needs of pregnant women with severe mental illness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Delivery, Obstetric / methods
  • Delivery, Obstetric / nursing
  • Delivery, Obstetric / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Midwifery
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Nurse-Patient Relations*
  • Parturition
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnant Women / psychology*
  • Prenatal Care / methods*
  • Prenatal Care / psychology
  • Qualitative Research
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Western Australia
  • Young Adult