Abstract
BackgroundStriae gravidarum are a common occurrence in pregnancy and many women use a topical product to prevent their development or lessen their appearance if they do develop. There is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness of many of the products used by women. This study arose from challenges in recruitment to a pilot randomised trial (ISRCTN trial registration number:76992326) designed to evaluate the feasibility of a definitive trial to compare a moisturising oil to no treatment in the prevention and reduction in severity of striae gravidarum. The study reported here explored the factors influencing recruitment to that pilot trial.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study was undertaken involving primigravid women attending an Irish maternity hospital. Data were collected by semi-structured telephone interviews over a four-week period and analysed using the framework method of analysis. Fifteen interview transcripts were included in the analysis.ResultsFour main themes consisting of twelve categories were identified from the interview data. The themes focused on women’s prevention of stretch marks and their choice of anti-stretch mark product, who and what influenced that choice and influences on trial participation. In relation to influences on trial participation, the possibility of being randomised to the non- intervention or control group was a deterrent for many women.ConclusionsThe prevention of stretch marks is important to pregnant women, as is their choice of product to prevent them. Offering women the opportunity to be part of a trial that would be of low burden and would test a well-known product may optimise recruitment. However, reluctance to be randomised because of the possibility of being allocated to the non-intervention control group suggests that further work is needed in this field on how best to communicate uncertainty to potential participants.
Highlights
Striae gravidarum are a common occurrence in pregnancy and many women use a topical product to prevent their development or lessen their appearance if they do develop
Striae gravidarum or stretch marks are common in pregnancy, usually during the third trimester
Others report that there may be some changes in the elastin fibre network important in skin elasticity, as a result of persistent strain on the dermal tissue, which may be related to a deficiency in cutaneous fibrillin
Summary
Striae gravidarum are a common occurrence in pregnancy and many women use a topical product to prevent their development or lessen their appearance if they do develop. Striae gravidarum or stretch marks are common in pregnancy, usually during the third trimester. They have been shown to affect 50 to 90% of pregnant women [1] and commonly occur during their first pregnancy [2]. Striae gravidarum frequently occur on the abdomen but are seen on the breasts and thighs [3]. They appear as reddish or purple streaks and remain as glistening lines on the skin [3] and have been more recently. Others report that there may be some changes in the elastin fibre network important in skin elasticity, as a result of persistent strain on the dermal tissue, which may be related to a deficiency in cutaneous fibrillin
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