Embodying the Emotional Pregnancy

The use of integrative medicine (IM) practices during pregnancy are on the rise in the United States and a growing number of individuals seek pregnancy support outside of the conventional medical system every year. There is a variety of integrative medicine providers (IMPs) who work outside the clinical system to fill the gaps in pregnancy support by providing a set of services such as midwifery, doula care, childbirth education, and lactation support. Evidence suggests integrative medicine providers positively impact pregnancy experiences, yet IMPs are often marginalized and excluded from the conventional pregnancy healthcare system. We present results from an ongoing investigation that seeks to understand the roles IMPs play in pregnancy healthcare journeys, and the pregnancy ecology. We interviewed 12 integrative medicine providers to understand their needs and challenges concerning technology, business models, and communication practices. Our findings reflect on a broad range of topics including the intersection of personal and professional journeys, legitimacy within the healthcare system, and the provision of personalized care. We discuss the potential for technology to support IMPs and present implications for the design of future pregnancy support technologies. Improving collaborative care and communication technologies for the IM community has the potential to improve professional experiences and the quality of care provided by IMPs. WARNING: This paper includes detailed personal narratives of individuals' pregnancy healthcare journey including information about, pregnancy, labor, delivery, birth stories, and pregnancy loss.

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Collaboration Challenges and Technology Opportunities at the Intersection of Perinatal and Mental Health Journeys

Haldar

Studd

Wong

et al. 2022

Proc. ACM Hum.-Comput. Interact.

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Collaborative Care Programs (CCPs) integrate mental health services into primary care settings to help patients access much needed treatment. Technologies could increase the effectiveness of CCPs, but we know little about what collaboration challenges technologies must address in this complex clinical setting. To investigate these challenges and technology opportunities, we conducted interviews and contextual inquiries with 30 patients and providers in an obstetric CCP. Using the Parallel Journeys Framework as a lens, we uncover new collaboration challenges (e.g., weighing risks and benefits of treatment, conflicting opinions and ambiguous responsibilities) at the intersection of patients' obstetric and psychosocial care journeys. We discuss new CSCW implications and technology opportunities, such as the importance of addressing support gaps in cyclical experiences, and the need to resolve provider conflicts to refocus on patient needs. These contributions inform how technologies can support patient engagement and collaboration with providers to access and receive treatment, as well as improve health outcomes.

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Embodying the Emotional Pregnancy

Cited by 6 publications

References 37 publications

An Intersectional Look at Use of and Satisfaction with Digital Mental Health Platforms: A Survey of Perinatal Black Women

An Intersectional Look at Use of and Satisfaction with Digital Mental Health Platforms: A Survey of Perinatal Black Women

Design Implications to Support Integrative Medicine in Pregnancy Care

Collaboration Challenges and Technology Opportunities at the Intersection of Perinatal and Mental Health Journeys

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