Women's expectations and experiences of rupture of membranes and views of the potential use of reagent pads for detecting amniotic fluid

5 years ago

Women's expectations and experiences of rupture of membranes and views of the potential use of reagent pads for detecting amniotic fluid

Helen Spiby, Sara Borrelli, Anita J Hughes

Aims To explore first-time mothers’ expectations and experiences regarding rupture of membranes at term and their views on the potential use of reagent pads that detect amniotic fluid. Background There is little information available on women's experiences of spontaneous rupture of membranes, or interest in using methods to confirm rupture of membranes (e.g. reagent pads). Design Descriptive qualitative study, using focus groups and telephone interviews with women during pregnancy and after the birth of their first baby. Thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse women's responses. Methods Ethics committee approval was obtained. Twenty-five women participated in the study of whom 13 contributed both during pregnancy and postpartum between October 2015–March 2016. Findings Three overarching themes were identified from the data from women's expectations and experiences: uncertainty in how, when and where membranes may rupture; information which was felt to be limited and confirmation of rupture of membranes. The potential use of reagent pads met with varied responses. Conclusion Women were interested in having facts and figures regarding rupture of membranes, such as characteristics of liquor; volume and probability of membranes rupturing spontaneously at term. Use of a pad as a means of confirmation was viewed as helpful, although the potential for increasing anxiety was raised.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1111/jan.13365