Interconception Challenges of Women Who Had Prior Preterm Births.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Maternal Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Preterm birth is a significant global health concern with lasting impacts on maternal well-being.
• The interconception period, following a preterm birth, presents unique challenges for women's health and recovery.
• Limited research exists on the specific challenges women face during this critical interconception phase after preterm birth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the interconception challenges experienced by women with a history of preterm birth.
• To identify and categorize the multifaceted difficulties encountered by these women in the period between pregnancies.
• To provide a foundation for developing targeted support interventions for women with prior preterm births.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed in King County, Washington.
• Data were collected from 92 women with prior early preterm births (20-33 weeks gestation) using open-ended and close-ended surveys.
• Inductive and summative content analysis, along with descriptive statistics, were used to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data.

Main Results:

• Ninety-one participants reported challenges during the interconception period.
• The most frequently reported challenges included Mothering (76%), Self-Care Desires (38%), Finances (34%), and Employment (34%).
• Other significant challenges encompassed Partner Relationships, Individualized Concerns, Mental Health, Balance, Physical Health, Housing, and Family.

Conclusions:

• Women with prior preterm births encounter a wide range of interconception challenges.
• These challenges are often interconnected with their roles as mothers, employees, and partners.
• This research highlights contemporary issues faced by women in the interconception period, informing future maternal healthcare strategies.