Women's experiences of the therapeutic value of writing about pregnancy sickness

Abstract

Background There is evidence of the beneficial effects of writing therapy in relation to a range of disorders. This is the first study to evaluate those effects in the field of pregnancy sickness. Aim To analyse the experiences of women using writing therapy to address issues associated with pregnancy sickness. Method Ten women with an age range of 32–48 years participated in this research study. All had been hospitalised at least once with severe pregnancy sickness symptoms in the form of hyperemesis gravidarum. Participants were invited to write reflectively about their former pregnancy sickness, at home, and then take part in a qualitative, semi‐structured telephone interview of approximately one hour to talk about how they experienced this writing process. Findings Thematic analysis identified several themes relating to the beneficial effects and uses of writing therapy and women's relational need to be heard and supported. Discussion This study supports previous findings about the beneficial effects of writing therapy and contributes new knowledge to the field of pregnancy sickness vis‐à‐vis the importance of emotional expression, emotional care and emotional recovery. The findings have important implications for healthcare professional practice.

Systematic evidence map of evidence addressing the top 10 priority research questions for hyperemesis gravidarum

“…Question two contained the most qualitative studies with six identified describing women’s experiences of the condition and its treatments 55–60…”

“…[52][53][54] Question two contained the most qualitative studies with six identified describing women's experiences of the condition and its treatments. [55][56][57][58][59][60] Question 3: what causes HG? Seventy-one studies have attempted to find a cause for HG.…”

“…Of those that included PPI, four were systematic reviews3 14 94 112 (of which one was a systematic review of qualitative studies), four were survey studies,55 74 113 114 two were prospective case–control studies,115 116 one was a protocol for an RCT86 and one was a qualitative study 60. Of the remaining 20 studies that included a patient author, but did not report PPI, seven were survey studies,75 90 91 117–120 four were cohorts,63 121–123 three were case–control studies,61 87 124 two were case reports,125 126 two were qualitative studies56 58 and one was a literature review 11…”

The Management of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Green‐top Guideline No. 69)

“…Pregnancy sickness specific counselling may be helpful either during or after pregnancy. 173 Measures that address NVP, poor social support and depression are warranted throughout pregnancy. 112 A prospective cohort study of 367 women suggests that practitioners could improve their management of NVP by addressing symptoms and life situation.…”

The journey towards active self‐care and empowerment: Insights from a thematic analysis of a women's therapeutic expressive writing group (UK)

“…Therapeutic writing can be conceptualised as writing in a structured or unstructured manner, which can be guided or self‐initiated, and facilitates the expression, exploration and reflections upon emotions and thoughts relating to an objective experience (Wright & Chung, 2001). Sometimes referred to as “expressive writing,” its overall focus is to improve mental or physical well‐being, with a growing recognition of the value in writing for therapeutic purposes as a credible therapeutic intervention (Nicholson, 2018). A seminal study by Pennebaker and Beall (1986) created the expressive writing paradigm and published the starting point of experimental studies for a growing field of enquiry (Nicholls, 2009).…”