When pregnancy becomes a fight for survival: experiences of women surviving preeclampsia and eclampsia at a public regional referral hospital in Northern Uganda, a qualitative descriptive study

Preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) are major causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low-resource settings. Although clinical management has improved, less is known about how women experience PE/E and its effects beyond the acute episode. Understanding these experiences can inform more responsive maternal and postpartum care. To explore and describe the experiences of women who survived preeclampsia/eclampsia at a public regional referral hospital in Northern Uganda. A qualitative descriptive study. The study was conducted at Lira Regional Referral Hospital between March and May 2024. Fifteen women who had survived clinically diagnosed PE/E and were within 12 weeks postpartum were purposively selected to provide variation in age, diagnosis, parity, education, occupation, mode of delivery, and pregnancy or labor complications. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted by trained researchers. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated as needed. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used for data analysis. Participants’ experiences of surviving preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE/E) fell into four categories: fear and uncertainty post-diagnosis, changes in physical and economic life, information needs during and after care, and expectations for future health and pregnancy. They expressed feelings of physical weakness, dependence, disrupted family dynamics, and limited engagement in daily activities. Notable variations in information provided during care were reported, with many expressing unmet needs regarding their condition and post-discharge care. Concerns about recurrence and future pregnancies persisted, although some women became more proactive about self-care and early antenatal care. Women who survived PE/E experienced significant impacts beyond medical treatment, affecting their physical functioning, family life, economic activities, understanding of their condition, and future reproductive plans. Key recommendations include patient-centred communication, thorough discharge education, ongoing postpartum follow-up, access to essential medications, and appropriate psychosocial support. Future research should investigate tailored interventions for these needs in low-resource settings.