Perinatal anxiety
Perinatal mental health is a core theme in the Joint research strategy between the School of Medicine and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Perinatal mental health problems are those that occur during pregnancy or in the postpartum stage (up to 1 year after delivery). Perinatal anxiety disorders are reported to affect around 22% of women. Anxiety during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of postpartum depression. Barriers to the detection of perinatal anxiety may exist at individual or systemic levels; however, these have not been researched previously. Current limitations in knowledge may negatively impact the design of effective interventions.
We would like to acknowledge the important role that the Maternal Mental Health Patient and Public Involvement Group has had in developing the two research projects, described below.
Study 1: Healthcare Professionals
| Chief Investigator: | Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham, Professor Athula Sumathipala |
| Research team: | Dr Tom Kingstone, Dr Victoria Silverwood, Dr Bernadette Bartlam, Dr Debra Green, Annabel Nash, Jacqualyn Walsh-House |
| Funder name/reference number: | Primary Care Centre |
| UKCRN study portfolio: | No |
| Year: | 2016-2018 |
Study design
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with healthcare practitioners who manage the care of women during pregnancy and 12 months after birth. Ten interviews with each of the following: GPs, mid-wives, obstetricians, and health visitors. Interview transcripts with be analysed thematically using principles of constant comparison.
Primary objective
The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of a range of healthcare practitioners (HCPs) on perceived barriers and facilitators to the identification of perinatal anxiety in women by HCPs in primary and specialist care.
Key output
Silverwood V, Nash A, Chew-Graham CA, Walsh-House J, Sumathipala A, Bartlam B and Kingstone T. Healthcare professionals’ perspectives on identifying and managing perinatal anxiety: a qualitative study. Br J Gen Pract. 2019 Nov 1;69(688):e768-76.
Study 2: Women's Perspectives
| Chief Investigator: | Professor Carolyn Chew-Graham |
| Research team: | Prof Athula Sumathipala, Dr Tom Kingstone, Dr Victoria Silverwood, Soo Oh, Jacqualyn Walsh-House, Sirah Shaheen |
| Funder name/reference number: | Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust |
| UKCRN study portfolio: | N/A |
| Year: | 2018-2020 |
Study design
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with up to 20 women with experience of perinatal anxiety. Participants recruited via primary and secondary care, community groups and via social media. Interview transcripts will be analysed thematically using principles of constant comparison.
Primary objective
The aim of this study is to explore women’s experiences of perinatal anxiety, help-seeking behaviours, systems of support and interactions with healthcare professionals and services.