Pregnancy and Postpartum Experiences of Women Diagnosed with Preeclampsia: A Qualitative Study

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the pregnancy and postpartum experiences of women diagnosed with preeclampsia. Methods: The study was conducted with a qualitative design. Data were collected through face-to-face or online interviews using a semi-structured form with 18 women who gave birth with a diagnosis of preeclampsia in the first six months following delivery at a university hospital in Istanbul. The findings were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was 30.1±4.1 years. 61.1% of the participants had preterm delivery, 88.8% stayed in the hospital for 2-6 days, and the mean duration after delivery was 90.3±44.6 days. Participants were diagnosed with preeclampsia at an average of 28.5±3.8 weeks. Five themes were identified as a result of qualitative interviews: “reaction to the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia”, ‘postpartum effects of pre-eclampsia’, ‘information gathering’, ‘social support’ and ‘lifestyle changes and pregnancy intention’. Conclusion: The diagnosis of PE affects women’s experiences during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The results indicate that women needed professional assistance with a multidisciplinary approach during this period.