Exploring the lived experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood in Italian women with congenital heart disease: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study explored the lived experiences of women with congenital heart disease (CHD) during pregnancy and early motherhood.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Data were analysed according to interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Setting

San Donato Milanese, Italy.

Participants

12 adult women during pregnancy or early motherhood.

Results

Three main themes emerged from the analysis that were labelled as follows: 'Being a woman with CHD'; 'Being a mother with CHD'; and 'Don't be alone'. Mothers described both positive and negative feelings about their pregnancies and transitions from childless women to mothers with CHD. They needed supportive care to improve the management of their health during pregnancy and early mot

SUBMITTER: Flocco SF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7044861 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature