Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access
ISSN: 2167-0420
ISSN: 2167-0420
Harshida Patel
University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Womens Health Care
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of cardiac disease often associated with cardiac failure, occurring in late pregnancy or after childbirth. The anatomical and physiological changes in the mother associated with normal pregnancy may result in symptoms and signs that overlap with PPCM, leading to missed or delayed diagnosis. The aim of the study was to describe womenâ??s experiences of symptoms of PPCM and received care, and identifies the areas for improvement. 19 women were interviewed in this study. The key themes were identified using content analysis. The main theme emerged is the eternal suffering. The meaning of onset and occurrence of symptoms is captured in the metaphor: â??being caught in a spider webâ?, comprising subthemes, invasion of the body by experienced symptoms and feeling of helplessness. The care experiences are captured in exacerbated suffering, comprising subthemes, not being cared about and not being cared for. Symptoms related to Peripartum Cardiomyopathy started for 17 women during pregnancy and in two postpartum, and time from symptoms for diagnosis varied between 3-190 days (median 40). Although women expressed miscellaneous experiences of care, majority of them described being not cared in adequate manner. The deprecation of symptoms and missed diagnosis of PPCM can lead to a life threatening consequences. The analyses shows the importance of respecting womenâ??s narratives and positive interactions with midwives and obstetricians as well as the knowledge gap is highlighted in the maternity care personnel.
Email: harshida.patel@gu.se