Preeclampsia from a Patient Perspective

Background: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality. Although antenatal care can identify women at risk, limited research has explored women's experiences with preeclampsia despite itssignificant impact.Aim: This thesis aims to enhance the understanding of women's experiences with preeclampsia in order toimprove clinical care, support, and mental health outcomes. This includes assessing the quality of care and information provided, examining the emotional and psychological effects of preeclampsia on both women and their partners during the postpartum period, as well as evaluating the accuracy of an innovative home blood pressure monitoring mobile phone application during pregnancy.Methods: Studies I & II: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 9 and 15 women, respectively, andanalyzed using phenomenological and manifest content methods. Study III: A longitudinal study with 37women and 13 partners examined depression, anxiety, and co-parenting at 2 and 6 months postpartumusing mixed linear models. Study IV: The Anura™ application for blood pressure monitoring was evaluatedin normotensive, high-risk, and preeclamptic pregnancies using paired t-tests and Bland-Altman plots.Results: Studies I & II: Women described preeclampsia as distressing and unexpected. They cited a lack ofconsistent information and significant stress from being separated from their newborns. They emphasizedthe need for clear, repeated communication and tailored support. Study III: Rates of postnatal depressionand anxiety were comparable to those in normotensive populations. Support and closeness in co-parentingwere associated with improved mental health outcomes. Conversely, women whose partners reported lowlevels of perceived support experienced increased anxiety. Study IV: The Anura™ application demonstratedaccuracy in normotensive pregnancies but was less reliable in high-risk pregnancies and cases ofpreeclampsia, showing significant discrepancies in blood pressure readings. Most women expressed apossitiv experience of using the Anura application.Conclusions: Improved care for preeclampsia requires standardized, individualized support and clearcommunication throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Co-parenting support should involveboth parents in order to enhance mental health outcomes. While the Anura™ application shows promisefor use in normotensive pregnancies, it is not yet reliable for clinical use in high-risk pregnancies orpreeclampsia.