Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM): a study of patient experiences and support needs

ABSTRACT Background Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) is a common obstetric condition but outcomes can vary depending on gestation. Significant maternal and foetal complications occur including preterm birth, infection, abruption, cord prolapse, pulmonary hypoplasia and even death. Although the need for psychological support is recognised it is unclear how much is actually offered to women and their families. This study aimed to survey the views of women and their families who have undergone PPROM in order to understand the care and psychological burden these families face. Methods An online survey was conducted, recruiting women via social media with collaboration from the patient advocacy support group Little Heartbeats. Responses were collated where fields were binary or mean and standard deviations calculated. Framework analysis was used to identify and analyse themes in free text responses. Results 180PPROM pregnancies were described from 177 respondents. Although carewas variable and respondents were from across the world there werecommon themes. Five themes were highlighted which were: a lack ofbalanced information regarding the condition, support in decisionmaking and support with the process, specific psychological supportand ongoing psychological consequences of PPROM. Conclusion This survey highlights areas in which care needs to be improved for women with PPROM. Previous studies have shown that providing good care during the antenatal period reduces long-term psychological morbidity for the whole family. The need for support, with regard both to information provided to women and their families and their psychological support needs to be addressed urgently.

• Publication year

  2024

• Venue

  Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology

• Publication date

  2024-02-16

• Fields of study

  Medicine, Psychology

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1080/02646838.2024.2314179PMID 38361489
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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