Experiences of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a scoping review

Abstract

Background Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) constitute one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide, and are associated with an increased risk of recurrence and future cardiovascular disease. HDP affect women’s health condition, mode of birth and timing, length of hospital stay, and relationship with their newborn and family, with future life repercussions. Aims To explore the experiences of women with HDP from pregnancy to postpartum, and to identify (a) their perceptions and understanding of HDP, (b) their understanding of future health risks, and (c) the possible interventions by healthcare providers. Methods A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute method and in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The following databases were searched from 1990 to 2020 (October): MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar database. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist was used as a guide for the qualitative analysis. Content analysis and synthesis of findings were conducted using Nvivo12. Results Of the 1971 articles identified through database searching, 16 articles met the inclusion criteria. After data extraction, content analysis yielded six categories: ‘Life-threatening disorder’, ‘Coping with HDP’, ‘Concerns for baby and challenges of motherhood’, ‘Fear of recurrence and health problems’, ‘Necessity of social and spiritual support’, and ‘Positive and negative experiences in the healthcare context’. Women faced complex difficulties from the long treatment process while transitioning to motherhood. Conclusion Our findings revealed the perceptions and understanding of women regarding HDP as a life-threatening disorder to both mothers and their babies which mothers need to cope with. Recovery of physical condition and the long-term psychological effects of HDP on women should be given attention by mothers and HCP to reduce future health risks. Importantly, a lifelong follow-up system is recommended for women with HDP.

Fetal Anomaly: Family Experiences and Preferences for Care

“…Findings of qualitative perinatal studies identified similar emotions experienced by women after an unexpected diagnosis of high-risk pregnancy, 43,44 hypertensive disorder, 45,46 preterm labor, 47 and early pregnancy loss. 48 The concept of unmet expectations and broken or shattered expectations identified in this review was also described in studies of unexpected stillbirth, 49 perinatal loss, 50 preterm birth, 51 fetal anomaly, 7,8 and newborn admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.…”

Eclampsia Managed at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), NNEWI, South-East Nigeria: A 5-Year Retrospective Cross-Sectional Studya

“…One of the main causes of maternal and perinatal death worldwide is hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), which are also linked to a higher risk of recurrence and future cardiovascular disease. Women's health conditions, methods of delivery, hospital stays, and relationships with their children and families are all impacted by HDP [1]. One of the types and clinical symptoms of hypertension diseases during pregnancy is eclampsia [2].…”

“…One of the types and clinical symptoms of hypertension diseases during pregnancy is eclampsia [2]. In Nigeria, it is still one of the main factors contributing to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality [1,2].…”

Women's experiences with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy from a national referral hospital in Tanzania: A qualitative study

“…A scoping review of women's experiences of hypertensive disorders (Sakurai et al, 2022) revealed that it brought a crisis to their own health and their babies, how they coped and struggled, developed a fear of the future, and their positive and negative exchanges with HCPs. When diagnosed with HDP then hospitalized, women have another opportunity to understand their condition and develop knowledge of the disease.…”