Emotions & Support Needs Following Childbirth

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Study to explore pregnant women's emotions and support needs associated with a previous childbirth experiences

• IRAS ID

  161262

• Contact name

  Gill Thomson

• Contact email

  GThomson@uclan.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Central Lancashire

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 3 months, 29 days

• Research summary

  Previous research has identified that mothers can experience a range of negative responses (e.g. behaviours and emotions) following a difficult, distressing or traumatic childbirth experience. When these women become pregnant again, this may re-trigger negative emotions, or even for negative emotions and feelings to come to the surface. Whilst some women are able to, and encouraged to seek support following a difficult/distressing birth, little is known about what types of support are available/women want to access, and the benefits of such. Furthermore, there has been minimal research undertaken to explore what support women need when they are pregnant again following a previous difficult/distressing birth experience.

  In this study multiparous pregnant women from five participating NHS trusts will be issued with an information pack (information sheet, questionnaire, list of contact numbers and return envelope to UCLan) when they attend the ultrasound clinic (20 week scan visit). At each site 100 packs will be distributed to women who meet the inclusion criteria over a one month period (however in two sites 100 packs will be distributed at two different sites - total packs = 700). The questionnaire will explore the following issues:

  • the types of negative emotions that they experienced related to a previous difficult or distressing birth at two time points (following the birth AND/OR currently, e.g. within the past seven days)
  • what support (if any) women were able to access and benefits of such.
  • what support women feel should be available when they experience negative emotions linked to giving birth(including when and who should provide this support)
  • what support pregnant women need in preparing for their future birth when they are still feeling emotionally distressed after a previous birth

• REC name

  North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/NW/1476

• Date of REC Opinion

  18 Dec 2014

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion