Perceptions of care during antenatal perinatal and postnatal period
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reducing health inequalities in Lanarkshire: An exploration of the perceptions of women (and their partners) with regards to the care and information they received during the antenatal, perinatal and postnatal period, after implementation of the Best Possible Start Universal Pathway of Care.
IRAS ID
146872
Contact name
Jean Rankin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of Scotland
Research summary
Perceptions of women(and their partners) of the care and information they received during the antenatal, perinatal and postnatal period on the Best Possible Start Universal Pathway of Care.
The research is funded through a joint initiative between the University of the West of Scotland and the NHS Lanarkshire Board. The Best Possible Start programme was designed to reduce health inequalities in Lanarkshire. The Universal Pathway of Care (UPC) was developed to ensure every woman receives the same level of care during pregnancy until their child is eight years old.
The care women receive should be tailored to them as an individual. Strengths and assets should be promoted so that women are empowered to do the best they can for themselves and their babies. The importance of the relationship between mother and baby should also be emphasised during the care. When caregivers respond to the needs of a baby or child in a consistent and sensitive manner, there are better outcomes in terms of mental health for that child.
To understand women’s experiences of care and information they received they will be interviewed in their own homes. Thirty women will be interviewed and interviews will last around one hour. These women will be in the care of NHS Lanarkshire and will be pregnant or will have recently given birth. Their partners, if they have one, will also be invited to take part. The study should last no more than six months.
This study will help us to understand what parts of the UPC have worked well and what parts might need further development. It will provide research evidence for the usefulness of the approaches taken from the experiences of the women involved. It will also highlight the issues which are important to women during ante, peri and post natal care.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/0224
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion