Other Titles
Perinatal Innovations in Healthcare Promotion [Session]
Abstract
Session presented on Tuesday, November 10, 2015:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe and explore women's experiences of symptoms in PPCM.
Methods: A triangulation of methods was performed comprising individual interviews with 19 women in Sweden with PPCM, and data were also collected from their medical records. Qualitative data from interviews were analysed by inductive content analysis, and quantitative data using descriptive statistics.
Results: The meaning of onset and occurrence of symptoms is captured in the metaphor: being caught in a spider web , comprising the invasion of symptoms and feeling of helplessness. Symptoms related to PPCM started at gestational weeks 14-38 (median 32) and time from symptoms to diagnosis varied between 3-190 days (median 40). The physical symptoms were: shortness of breath, excessive fatigue and swelling, bloatedness, tachycardia, nausea, but also palpitation, coughing, chest tightness, bodily pain, headache, fever, tremor, dizziness, syncope, restless and tingly body and oliguria. Emotional symptoms were: fear, anxiety, feelings of panic, and thoughts of impending death.
Conclusion: Symptoms of PPCM are debilitating, exhausting and frightening for women. Health care professionals, especially midwives, should be equipped with the skills needed to identify PPCM for early referral to a specialist. More research to elaborate midwives' knowledge and attitude about PPCM is essential. Key words: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy; Pregnancy; Heart disease; Symptoms; Qualitative methods; Content analysis; Childbirth
Sigma Membership
Tau Omega
Lead Author Affiliation
University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, Pregnancy, Heart Disease and Symptoms
Recommended Citation
Patel, Harshida, "Exploring symptom experiences in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: A mixed method study" (2016). Convention. 357.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2015/presentations_2015/357
Conference Name
43rd Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Conference Year
2015
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Exploring symptom experiences in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: A mixed method study
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Session presented on Tuesday, November 10, 2015:
Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe and explore women's experiences of symptoms in PPCM.
Methods: A triangulation of methods was performed comprising individual interviews with 19 women in Sweden with PPCM, and data were also collected from their medical records. Qualitative data from interviews were analysed by inductive content analysis, and quantitative data using descriptive statistics.
Results: The meaning of onset and occurrence of symptoms is captured in the metaphor: being caught in a spider web , comprising the invasion of symptoms and feeling of helplessness. Symptoms related to PPCM started at gestational weeks 14-38 (median 32) and time from symptoms to diagnosis varied between 3-190 days (median 40). The physical symptoms were: shortness of breath, excessive fatigue and swelling, bloatedness, tachycardia, nausea, but also palpitation, coughing, chest tightness, bodily pain, headache, fever, tremor, dizziness, syncope, restless and tingly body and oliguria. Emotional symptoms were: fear, anxiety, feelings of panic, and thoughts of impending death.
Conclusion: Symptoms of PPCM are debilitating, exhausting and frightening for women. Health care professionals, especially midwives, should be equipped with the skills needed to identify PPCM for early referral to a specialist. More research to elaborate midwives' knowledge and attitude about PPCM is essential. Key words: Peripartum Cardiomyopathy; Pregnancy; Heart disease; Symptoms; Qualitative methods; Content analysis; Childbirth
Description
43rd Biennial Convention 2015 Theme: Serve Locally, Transform Regionally, Lead Globally.