Thesis
Experiences of bed rest during twin pregnancies
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Spring 2021
DOI: 10.17077/etd.006053
Abstract
Bed rest during pregnancy is commonly prescribed as a treatment for various pregnancy complications, however it is associated with adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. A better understanding of women’s experiences of bed rest during twin pregnancies is necessary to inform future supportive interventions to reduce stress and other negative outcomes associated with antepartum bed rest as physicians continue to prescribe it. A mixed-methods study design was used to determine the most prominent challenges women pregnant with twins experience while on bed rest, to determine which participant characteristics are associated with higher levels of stress, and to identify helpful future intervention targets. Women currently on bed rest during twin pregnancy and women who were on bed rest during a twin pregnancy within the last 12 months were recruited to complete an online survey.
An adapted version of the Antepartum Hospital Stressors Inventory (AHSI) was administered to determine the most challenging stressors of bed rest during pregnancy. Bivariate analyses were used to compare total stress scores across participant characteristics using linear regression, Spearman’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA. Qualitative content was analyzed into themes using a deductive coding approach.
Using the AHSI, the mean total stress score was found to be 87.57 (SD = 28.44). The AHSI statements with the highest reported stress scores included: thinking about my babies’ health, feeling dependent on others, feeling uncertain about the outcome, feeling lack of control over the situation, feeling worried, and wanting to get ready for the baby. Associations were found between bed rest characteristics (gestational age at the start of bed rest prescription, location of bed rest prescription, type of twin pregnancy, and not knowing reason for bed rest prescription) and total stress score. There were no associations found between other participant characteristics and total stress score. Approximately 64% of women indicated interest in a bed rest support program and of these women, 88.1% indicated that they would prefer online support. Additionally, 68.7% of women indicated that it would be preferred to receive support from family.
Women prescribed bed rest during twin pregnancy continue to face high levels of stress and challenges. As the practice of bed rest remains, it is imperative to reduce the observed stressors and challenges through a supportive intervention meeting women’s indicated preferences.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Experiences of bed rest during twin pregnancies
- Creators
- Madeline Lawrence
- Contributors
- Kara Whitaker (Advisor)Lucas Carr (Committee Member)Kimberly Hart (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Health and Human Physiology
- Date degree season
- Spring 2021
- DOI
- 10.17077/etd.006053
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- viii, 51, 19, 18 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2021 Madeline Lawrence
- Language
- English
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 47-49).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
Bed rest during pregnancy is commonly prescribed to reduce pregnancy complications; however, bedrest is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes for both the mother and baby. It is necessary to better understand the experiences of women prescribed bed rest during twin pregnancies to create supportive programs that reduce stress and other negative outcomes that are related to bed rest during pregnancy. This study was developed to determine the challenges women pregnant with twins face while on bed rest, the characteristics of this population that are related to higher levels of stress, and to identify helpful aspects of a future program. Women currently on bed rest during a twin pregnancy and women who were on bed rest during a twin pregnancy within the last 12 months were asked to complete an online survey.
The online survey consisted of a series of questions asking about their bed rest experience including numerous questions that assessed women’s levels of stress. Women indicated that the following statements resulted in the most stress: thinking about my babies’ health, feeling dependent on others, feeling uncertain about the outcome, feeling lack of control over the situation, feeling worried, and wanting to get ready for the baby. Approximately 64% of women said they would be interested in a support program while on bed rest and of these women, 88.1% said that they would prefer online support. Additionally, 68.7% of women indicated that they would prefer support from their families.
Women prescribed bed rest during twin pregnancy continue to face immense stress and challenges related to their environment, health status, family, self-image, and other topics. As the practice of bed rest remains, it is necessary to reduce common stressors and challenges with a supportive program that meets women’s preferences.
- Academic Unit
- Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9984097077202771
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