‘Me and my Bump’: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of pregnancy for vulnerable women

Abstract

Eight pregnant women, considered to be ‘vulnerable’ due to exposure to a number of underlying risk factors, participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences of pregnancy and of Mellow Bumps, a 6-week targeted antenatal intervention. Interview transcripts were explored using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The analysis revealed five superordinate themes: pregnancy as a time of reflection; the body being taken over; pregnancy as an emotional rollercoaster; relationships as important; separating identities. Pre- and post-natal attachment theories were found to be useful in interpreting the data. Findings suggest that pregnancy may be ‘normalising’ and provide an important opportunity for building more positive representations of the self. Findings also provide clinical support for the assertion that the attachment relationship begins before birth. The Mellow Bumps intervention was uniformly seen as helpful. It appeared to nurture prenatal attachment relationships, playing a potentially protective role, by helping to establish the foundations for secure mother–infant relationships in the future. Meeting similar women and engaging in ordinary, supportive conversation during Mellow Bumps seemed to reduce feelings of isolation and stigma. Implications for clinical practice are considered.

Challenges Faced by Young Mothers with a Care History and Views of Stakeholders About the Potential for Group Family Nurse Partnership to Support Their Needs

“…Our findings also correspond with those of others (Birtwell and others, ; Rolfe, ) in suggesting that, despite personal vulnerabilities and structural challenges, motherhood can be a positive experience for this group of women. Research has found that, for them, becoming a mother presented an opportunity ‘to set right the wrong of their past’ (Maxwell and others, ) in terms of their own family history and to stabilise their lifestyle and circumstances (Connolly and others, ).…”

A concept analysis of women's vulnerability during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period

“…, Wan et al . , Birtwell & Hammond ) and small changes such as listening visits made a difference (characteristic 3) (Brugha et al . ).…”

Mellow Parenting: systematic review and meta‐analysis of an intervention to promote sensitive parenting

“…After extraction of papers, three studies were excluded as only presenting qualitative or case study data, 21,23,26,27 consistent with level V of AACPDM guidelines. All studies presented in Table I met levels III or IV of AACPDM levels of evidence.…”

“…Mellow Parenting was initially developed for use with children under age 5 years (Mellow Parenting), but has subsequently, without deviating from the core intervention format, been adapted for use with infants (Mellow Babies), antenatally (Mellow Bumps), and with fathers (Mellow Dads). Mellow Parenting and Mellow Babies have rapidly gained support with early years practitioners and have been recommended in UK national guidelines for evidence‐based parenting interventions and the California Evidence‐Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (http://www.cebc4cw.org/program/mellow-babies/); however, much of this evidence is derived from small case studies and qualitative studies . There is therefore a disjunction between positive representations of Mellow Parenting in practitioner reports and policy guidance compared with the relative lack of outcome‐driven, clinically informed research, such as adequately powered randomized trials.…”