‘Just Because I Like it Doesn't Mean it has to Work’: Personal Experiences of an Antenatal Psychosocial Intervention Designed to Prevent Postnatal Depression

Abstract

The antenatal psychosocial intervention to prevent postnatal depression, Preparing for Parenthood, was evaluated in an additional qualitative study of the participants' experience of the classes. This was to complement the findings of the core study with respect to the intervention's immediate impact on their emotional well‐being. All the women interviewed who attended the intervention considered it a positive experience. However, initial indications are that the intervention did not decrease, overall, the likelihood of a woman's developing postnatal depression. The distinction between developing a ‘pleasant’ and an ‘effective’ health promotion intervention requires careful negotiation and longer‐term assessment.

Pragmatic randomized trial of antenatal intervention to prevent post-natal depression by reducing psychosocial risk factors

“…Session feedback indicated that the essential intervention components had been covered by the course leaders (Brugha, et al 1998 b ;Wheatley & Brugha, 1999). However, it is possible that the brief training organized for the course leaders and their lack of experience in structured psychological interventions may have caused shortcomings in delivery.…”

Perceptions and experiences of interventions to prevent postnatal depression. A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

“…Partners' input away from the intervention setting was reported as valuable in interventions where learning strategies were the key component (Migl, 2009), and, additionally, this activity was credited as serving to improve communication between the women and their partners. Recipients also reported that the intervention helped them to harness support from family members (Gao et al, 2012;Wheatley and Brugha, 1999).…”

“…Specifically, this support came in the form of emotional and informational support derived from sharing experiences, the normalisation of experiences by other group members (Wheatley et al, 2003;Wheatley and Brugha, 1999) and exchanging advice (Andersson et al, 2012;Kennedy et al, 2009;Klima et al, 2009;Lehman, 2012;McNeil et al, 2012McNeil et al, , 2013Novick et al, 2012;TannerSmith et al, 2012;Teate et al, 2011). Service providers (Shanok, 2007;Wheatley and Brugha, 1999), also reported that the intervention was effective when the group was supportive. Few women reported a dislike for a peer group environment, and in these cases this appeared to be due to a preference for privacy (Andersson et al, 2012;Wheatley et al, 2003).…”

“…Empowerment In a number of interventions, the provision of education relating to pregnancy and labour was a key component (Andersson et al, 2012;Kennedy et al, 2009;Klima et al, 2009;Lehman, 2012;McNeil et al, 2012McNeil et al, , 2013Novick et al, 2012;Shanok, 2007;Tanner-Smith et al, 2012;Teate et al, 2011;Wheatley and Brugha, 1999). Participants of the Centering Pregnancy intervention reported that they felt they had sufficient information and were well prepared for pregnancy and labour.…”

“…Partners' involvement in the group interventions was welcomed by the majority of participants (Andersson et al, 2012;Kennedy et al, 2009;Klima et al, 2009;Lehman, 2012;McNeil et al, 2012McNeil et al, , 2013Novick et al, 2012;Tanner-Smith et al, 2012;Teate et al, 2011;Wheatley et al, 2003;Wheatley and Brugha, 1999) with a smaller number reporting that they themselves felt uncomfortable with the partners' presence, (Andersson et al, 2012;Kennedy et al, 2009) or the partners felt uncomfortable with certain aspects of the intervention, such as intimate discussion (Novick et al, 2012). Partners' input away from the intervention setting was reported as valuable in interventions where learning strategies were the key component (Migl, 2009), and, additionally, this activity was credited as serving to improve communication between the women and their partners.…”