Women’s experience of anxiety during pregnancy: A qualitative study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The experience of anxiety during pregnancy: A qualitative study of undiagnosed women
IRAS ID
215719
Contact name
Brendan Hore
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 4 days
Research summary
Pregnancy can be a difficult time for women leading to an increased risk developing anxiety. Anxiety during pregnancy can lead to problems for mother and baby, impacting on mother and baby's wellbeing and bonding. As yet little is known about how women experience anxiety when they are pregnant. Although research regarding postnatal depression has increase awareness, research regarding antenatal anxiety is relatively minimal. Because of this NHS staff can struggle to notice anxiety and be confident in offering support. Therefore, it could be considered important to explore the experience of pregnant women, who might experience anxiety, but not have received a diagnosis or current formal support, i.e. women who might be "under the radar".
This study will explore how women experience anxiety when they are pregnant. It will find out how women let people know they are struggling. It will also look at what they might need in particular when pregnant to help them with their anxiety.
We will be speaking to about 8 to 15 women who are pregnant. These women will consider themselves to be anxious. The questions we will ask will allow the women to give as much information as they want. The answers to these questions will be recorded and typed up. The researcher will then look at the answers to see if women discussed similar things (categories). These categories will then help develop an understanding (theory) about how pregnant women experience anxiety.
What we find will be shared with NHS staff to help them notice and support pregnant women who are anxious. These theories could also help pregnant women understand and talk about their worries.
(Please see protocol attached for further information).
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0318
Date of REC Opinion
3 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion