Objective This study explored the lived experiences of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) during pregnancy and early motherhood. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Data were analysed according to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Setting San Donato Milanese, Italy. Participants 12 adult women during pregnancy or early motherhood. Results Three main themes emerged from the analysis that were labelled as follows: 'Being a woman with CHD'; 'Being a mother with CHD'; and 'Don't be alone'. Mothers described both positive and negative feelings about their pregnancies and transitions from childless women to mothers with CHD. They needed supportive care to improve the management of their health during pregnancy and early motherhood. Conclusion This study explored the lived experiences of women with CHD during pregnancy and early motherhood. The emerged themes represent an initial framework for implementing theory-grounded educational and supportive strategies that improve self-care, engagement and quality of life for women with CHD. Furthermore, the study's results provide guidance for operationalising the described experiences into items and domains for future cross-national surveys.

Exploring the lived experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood in Italian women with congenital heart disease: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Simeone S.;
2020-01-01

Abstract

Objective This study explored the lived experiences of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) during pregnancy and early motherhood. Design Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Data were analysed according to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Setting San Donato Milanese, Italy. Participants 12 adult women during pregnancy or early motherhood. Results Three main themes emerged from the analysis that were labelled as follows: 'Being a woman with CHD'; 'Being a mother with CHD'; and 'Don't be alone'. Mothers described both positive and negative feelings about their pregnancies and transitions from childless women to mothers with CHD. They needed supportive care to improve the management of their health during pregnancy and early motherhood. Conclusion This study explored the lived experiences of women with CHD during pregnancy and early motherhood. The emerged themes represent an initial framework for implementing theory-grounded educational and supportive strategies that improve self-care, engagement and quality of life for women with CHD. Furthermore, the study's results provide guidance for operationalising the described experiences into items and domains for future cross-national surveys.
2020
cardiology
congenital heart disease
qualitative research
Adult
Female
Heart Defects, Congenital
Humans
Incidence
Italy
Middle Aged
Mother-Child Relations
Mothers
Pregnancy
Adaptation, Psychological
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12317/74983
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