Abstract
BackgroundExpectant parents may have positive and negative emotions during pregnancy and receive support from different sources. Studies on life situation and support among couples have rarely been conducted. This study aims to explore life situation and support during pregnancy among expectant mothers with depressive symptoms and their partners.MethodsTwenty-seven expectant mothers, in the last trimester of pregnancy with depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥ 7) from seven public antenatal care clinics in Sakonnakhon, a north-eastern province of Thailand, and their partners were interviewed. In total, 54 semi-structured interviews were subjected to content analysis.ResultsFour categories emerged: (1) Having obstacles in life, (2) Facing life transition, (3) Enhancing confidence, and (4) Dissatisfaction with support. The informants described obstacles regarding economy, fear of health problems, getting an abnormal child and partners’ behaviours. They received support from family members and social networks, but some were dissatisfied with the support from the healthcare. For example, expectant fathers wished to receive more health information and be more involved.ConclusionsHealthcare professionals should be aware of the influence of cultural and contextual factors when providing antenatal care to expectant parents. Male involvement in the care must not be neglected.
Highlights
Expectant parents may have positive and negative emotions during pregnancy and receive support from different sources
My problem is about money; I have to pay for the car and to take care of this child
I felt stressed about the money topic. (EM10)
Summary
Expectant parents may have positive and negative emotions during pregnancy and receive support from different sources. This study aims to explore life situation and support during pregnancy among expectant mothers with depressive symptoms and their partners. Becoming a parent involves happiness and development from the confirmation of pregnancy until the first time holding the new-born child [1]. Throughout this period the parents try to adapt to the parental roles [2]. Depression encompasses depressive symptoms (e.g. loss of interest and depressed mood) lasting at least 2 weeks [4] It is one of the most common mental health problems during pregnancy, e.g. occurring among 12% of pregnant women in Italy and among 39% of pregnant women in Pakistan [1, 5]. In Thailand, the depression rate for women during late pregnancy is 10 times higher than that of non-pregnant women [6, 7]
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