IPA Transition To Motherhood Following Diagnosis Of Pre-term Labour
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parenting Through A Porthole: A longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experiences of women during their transition to motherhood following suspected or diagnosed preterm labour between 23 weeks and 0 days (23+0) and 32 weeks and 6 days (32+6) of gestation.
IRAS ID
270798
Contact name
Dorothy Hannis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Teesside University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The study is a longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis of the lived experiences of women during their transition to motherhood following suspected or diagnosed preterm labour between 23 weeks and 0 days (23+0) and 32 weeks and 6 days (32+6) of gestation.
In the United Kingdom, neonatal mortality (death) and morbidity (disease) are predominantly caused by preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), with approximately 75% of preterm births due to preterm labour and 25% resulting from planned preterm birth following medical complications and conditions in the baby or mother (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2016). Preterm birth is a risk factor for maternal mental health issues which may adversely impact “mother-infant attachment and infant development”(Anderson and Cacola, 2017).
13,846 to 14,137 babies were born in England each year at gestations of 23+0 to 33+6 between the years of 2013-2017 (Office for National Statistics, 2016, Office for National Statistics, 2019, Office for National Statistics, 2017, Office for National Statistics, 2018). Babies born moderately preterm and below (< 34 weeks’ gestation) are typically cared for in hospital neonatal units (National Health Service and Department of Health, 2009, British Association of Perinatal Medicine, 2017).
This longitudinal ‘Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis’ study aims to explore the lived experiences of 10-15 first-time pregnant women (primigravida/nulliparous), at one hospital in the North-East of England, following suspected or diagnosed preterm labour between 23+0 weeks' gestation and 32+6 weeks’ gestation.
Participants will be initially interviewed antenatally after receiving a suspected or preterm labour diagnosis. Participants will be re-interviewed during neonatal unit admission (for babies born preterm or sick) and again following discharge from hospital. In addition, participants may also provide photographs for discussion. The study aims to provide insight into the needs of women following a diagnosis of preterm labour.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0121
Date of REC Opinion
15 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion