Anxiety during pregnancy: a meta-ethnography of women’s experiences of antenatal anxiety and a qualitative exploration of women’s experiences of recovery from antenatal anxiety
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Date
10/10/2022Author
Brown, Rebecca
Metadata
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Antenatal anxiety is common during the perinatal period and, if untreated, can
have lasting effects on both maternal and infant outcomes. Despite this, there is little research
seeking to understand the lived experiences of women who have had antenatal anxiety. In
order to design appropriate perinatal mental health services for women, it is important to gain
an understanding of their experiences from their perspective.
METHODS: A meta-ethnographic approach was used to systematically search and synthesise
qualitative research exploring women’s experiences of antenatal anxiety. Five electronic
databases (ASSIA and Social Services, PsychInfo, Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL) were
searched. Quality appraisal was carried out using a modified Critical Appraisal Skills
Programme checklist. For the empirical project, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was
used to explore women’s lived experiences of recovery from antenatal anxiety. Ten women
who self-reported experiencing mild-moderate antenatal anxiety were recruited via social
media. Interviews were conducted remotely and transcribed verbatim.
RESULTS: Fourteen qualitative studies were included in the meta-ethnography. The themes
across the studies were sufficiently similar to complete a reciprocal translation. Three main
themes were identified: ‘Characteristics of antenatal anxiety’, ‘Paradoxical influences on
antenatal anxiety’, and ‘Striving to be a good mother’. For the empirical project, one
overarching theme was identified – ‘Journey to recovery’ – that encapsulated four main
themes. The four themes were: ‘Someone that “gets it”’, ‘Safe responsive relationship(s)’,
‘Locus of control’, and ‘Knowing what to expect’. Importantly, there was no one aspect that
supported recovery, rather it was a combination of factors that worked together over time.
CONCLUSIONS: The synthesis raised new insights into the way in which the “good mother” ideal
impacts on the influences on antenatal anxiety and the characteristics of antenatal anxiety. It
highlighted that there are a number of key mitigators for antenatal anxiety that could be built
upon when designing services. The findings from the empirical project highlighted the need
for universally accessible information regarding antenatal anxiety. Additionally, it shows the
role of relationships and attuned care in allowing women to share the burden of antenatal
anxiety. Clinical and research implications are discussed.