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Preeclampsia from a Patient Perspective

Andersson, Maria LU (2025) In Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation
Abstract (Swedish)
Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Although antenatal care can identify women at risk, limited research has explored women's experiences with preeclampsia despite itssignificant impact.
Aim: This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences with preeclampsia in order to
improve clinical care, support, and mental health outcomes. This includes assessing the quality of care and information provided, examining the emotional and psychological effects of preeclampsia on both women and their partners during the postpartum period, as well as evaluating the accuracy of an innovative home blood pressure monitoring mobile phone application during pregnancy.
Methods: Studies I... (More)
Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Although antenatal care can identify women at risk, limited research has explored women's experiences with preeclampsia despite itssignificant impact.
Aim: This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences with preeclampsia in order to
improve clinical care, support, and mental health outcomes. This includes assessing the quality of care and information provided, examining the emotional and psychological effects of preeclampsia on both women and their partners during the postpartum period, as well as evaluating the accuracy of an innovative home blood pressure monitoring mobile phone application during pregnancy.
Methods: Studies I & II: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 9 and 15 women, respectively, and
analyzed using phenomenological and manifest content methods. Study III: A longitudinal study with 37
women and 13 partners examined depression, anxiety, and co-parenting at 2 and 6 months postpartum
using mixed linear models. Study IV: The Anura™ application for blood pressure monitoring was evaluated
in normotensive, high-risk, and preeclamptic pregnancies using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.
Results: Studies I & II: Women described preeclampsia as distressing and unexpected. They cited a lack of
consistent information and significant stress from being separated from their newborns. They emphasized
the need for clear, repeated communication and tailored support. Study III: Rates of postnatal depression
and anxiety were comparable to those in normotensive populations. Support and closeness in co-parenting
were associated with improved mental health outcomes. Conversely, women whose partners reported low
levels of perceived support experienced increased anxiety. Study IV: The Anura™ application demonstrated
accuracy in normotensive pregnancies but was less reliable in high-risk pregnancies and cases of
preeclampsia, showing significant discrepancies in blood pressure readings. Most women expressed a
possitiv experience of using the Anura application.
Conclusions: Improved care for preeclampsia requires standardized, individualized support and clear
communication throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Co-parenting support should involve
both parents in order to enhance mental health outcomes. While the Anura™ application shows promise
for use in normotensive pregnancies, it is not yet reliable for clinical use in high-risk pregnancies or
preeclampsia.
(Less)
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author
supervisor
opponent
  • Professor Lukasse, Mirjam, Universitetet i Sørøst, Norge
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Blood pressure, Coparenting, Experience, Mental health, Partners, Pregnant women, Pregnancy hypertension, postpartum Anxiety, postpartum Depression, postpartum
in
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation
issue
2025:22
pages
131 pages
publisher
Lund University, Faculty of Medicine
defense location
Kvinnoklinikens aula, Jan Waldenströms gata 47, Skånes Universitetssjukhus i Malmö
defense date
2025-03-07 09:00:00
ISSN
1652-8220
ISBN
978-91-8021-675-3
language
Swedish
LU publication?
yes
id
4257be17-5e46-4842-820a-14184eb12c08
date added to LUP
2025-02-10 15:01:44
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:55:59
@phdthesis{4257be17-5e46-4842-820a-14184eb12c08,
  abstract     = {{Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Although antenatal care can identify women at risk, limited research has explored women's experiences with preeclampsia despite itssignificant impact.<br/>Aim: This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences with preeclampsia in order to<br/>improve clinical care, support, and mental health outcomes. This includes assessing the quality of care and information provided, examining the emotional and psychological effects of preeclampsia on both women and their partners during the postpartum period, as well as evaluating the accuracy of an innovative home blood pressure monitoring mobile phone application during pregnancy.<br/>Methods: Studies I &amp; II: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 9 and 15 women, respectively, and<br/>analyzed using phenomenological and manifest content methods. Study III: A longitudinal study with 37<br/>women and 13 partners examined depression, anxiety, and co-parenting at 2 and 6 months postpartum<br/>using mixed linear models. Study IV: The Anura™ application for blood pressure monitoring was evaluated<br/>in normotensive, high-risk, and preeclamptic pregnancies using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.<br/>Results: Studies I &amp; II: Women described preeclampsia as distressing and unexpected. They cited a lack of<br/>consistent information and significant stress from being separated from their newborns. They emphasized<br/>the need for clear, repeated communication and tailored support. Study III: Rates of postnatal depression<br/>and anxiety were comparable to those in normotensive populations. Support and closeness in co-parenting<br/>were associated with improved mental health outcomes. Conversely, women whose partners reported low<br/>levels of perceived support experienced increased anxiety. Study IV: The Anura™ application demonstrated<br/>accuracy in normotensive pregnancies but was less reliable in high-risk pregnancies and cases of<br/>preeclampsia, showing significant discrepancies in blood pressure readings. Most women expressed a<br/>possitiv experience of using the Anura application.<br/>Conclusions: Improved care for preeclampsia requires standardized, individualized support and clear<br/>communication throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Co-parenting support should involve<br/>both parents in order to enhance mental health outcomes. While the Anura™ application shows promise<br/>for use in normotensive pregnancies, it is not yet reliable for clinical use in high-risk pregnancies or<br/>preeclampsia.<br/>}},
  author       = {{Andersson, Maria}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-8021-675-3}},
  issn         = {{1652-8220}},
  keywords     = {{Blood pressure, Coparenting, Experience, Mental health, Partners, Pregnant women, Pregnancy hypertension, postpartum Anxiety, postpartum Depression, postpartum}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  number       = {{2025:22}},
  publisher    = {{Lund University, Faculty of Medicine}},
  school       = {{Lund University}},
  series       = {{Lund University, Faculty of Medicine Doctoral Dissertation}},
  title        = {{Preeclampsia from a Patient Perspective}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/208136389/Avhandling_Maria_Andersson_LUCRIS.pdf}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}