Understanding mental health of women during antenatal period

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to understand mental health of women during antenatal period. The objectives of the study were: 1. to understand the cognitive, affective, and behavioral pattern of the pregnant women, and the meaning of such pattern to their mental health status, 2. to understand contextual factors promoting or demoting mental health condition of pregnant women, and 3. to explore pregnant mothers‟ coping strategies with their mental health status as it is linked to their antenatal period. In the present study, qualitative exploratory research method was used where purposive sampling method was adopted to collect data from seven participants. Inclusion criteria required the pregnant women who is experiencing of being a mother. The age range of the participants was 20 to 36 years among middle class women and all participants lived in Dhaka city. After taking informed consent a topic guide and audio taped interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed qualitatively by using NVivo 10 computer software. Results of the analysis generated nine major themes. The nine major themes are: joy and gratitude in a new identity, unrelenting vulnerability, painful physical change, mischievous anxiety and fear, child centered thought and expectation, pregnancy induced behavior, role of husband, positive support from family and others, and self-soothing. Findings of the study demonstrated that although newly pregnant mother felt extreme sense of happiness and relieve for having their pregnancy status, but they did undergo through much anxiety, stress and uncertainty about the future of their own health and well-being of coming newborn baby, their economic support, interpersonal, social or emotional support. Although some women got good coping strategy to face their pregnancy and coming delivery condition, but most of the pregnant women did not have appropriate coping strategy, and hence were suffering from mental health problems of various types. The present study found some mental health promoting aspects for the pregnant mothers, as well as some mental health demoting aspects, which professionals would be able to utilize as a valuable resource for educating pregnant mothers and helping them to cope better during antenatal period. Finally, this study recommends that further research and clinical interventions need to be designed to develop a comprehensive maternal and child mental health care programme during antenatal period by forming a team among obstetricians, gynecologists and specially trained clinical psychologists concerned about health and mental health of mothers and newborn babies.