The experience of pregnancy for vulnerable women.

Birtwell, B. (2012) The experience of pregnancy for vulnerable women. D.Clin.Psych. thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University.

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Abstract

Section A is a literature review focused on critically evaluating theory and research relating to three variables commonly experienced by vulnerable pregnant women. These pose a ‘risk’ to unborn babies and include: social exclusion, stress and poor attachment (NICE, 2010). Selected interventions for reducing the known ‘risks’ are critically evaluated, as well as qualitative studies into the experiences of pregnancy for vulnerable women. Gaps in existing theory and research are discussed, leading to suggestions for future research, including further qualitative study of vulnerable women’s experiences of pregnancy.
Section B presents a study into eight vulnerable women’s experiences of pregnancy and the Mellow Bumps antenatal intervention. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to make sense of participants’ experiences. The analysis revealed pregnancy was a time of reflection, when participants felt their bodies were being taken over, they felt more emotional than usual, relationships were important, and new identities developed. Pregnancy was a “normalising” experience, which provided an opportunity to build positive representations of the self. Mellow Bumps supported this. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	pregnancy, antenatal care, Mellow Bumps, vulnerable mothers, women, interpretative phenomenological analysis
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF0076.5 Psychology research H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > HQ1101 Women. Feminism > HQ1206 Psychology R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics > RG0551 Pregnancy
Divisions:	pre Nov-2014 > Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences > Applied Psychology
Depositing User:	Mrs Kathy Chaney
Date Deposited:	08 Nov 2012 15:53
Last Modified:	22 Sep 2016 04:18
URI:	https://create.canterbury.ac.uk/id/eprint/11179

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