The Experiences of Pregnant Women with Early-Onset Preeclampsia in Qatar: A Qualitative Descriptive Study
Date
2024-05-06
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Abstract
Background: Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that requires holistic nursing care and management. Preeclampsia can lead to severe consequences for the mother and baby, including stroke, internal organ damage, eclampsia, preterm delivery, maternal death, and/or stillbirth. In Qatar, the 22% prevalence of stillbirths due to preeclampsia is more than double the global prevalence of 10%. Nurses and midwives play a crucial role in providing holistic care to support the mental and physical health of women diagnosed with early-onset preeclampsia and to prevent the life-threatening complications of preeclampsia. Women’s knowledge and holistic care needs once diagnosed with early-onset preeclampsia in Qatar have not been studied. Purpose: To explore the experiences of pregnant women diagnosed with early-onset preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy at the outpatient department of one of the largest tertiary hospitals in the Middle East. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive approach informed by constructionism was used in this study. Primary data sources include interviews with ten pregnant women. Data analyses were guided by thematic analysis. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria for qualitative studies were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Findings: The six major themes include (a) responding to and coping with the disease; (b) support received; (c) knowledge about the disease; (d) concerns about the unborn baby; (e) women’s experience with signs and symptoms of preeclampsia; and (f) recommendations. Conclusion: The research underscores the importance of providing holistic nursing care to women with preeclampsia to prevent adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. By understanding the unique challenges faced by these women, healthcare providers can personalize their care, provide better support, and improve outcomes. Implementing interventions based on these findings can enhance the quality of care for pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia in Qatar and elsewhere.
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Keywords
Early-onset preeclampsia, pregnant women, experience, in-depth patient interviews
Citation
Al-Yazidi, L. N. S. (2024). The experiences of pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia in Qatar: a qualitative descriptive study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.