Wadephul, Franziska and Glover, Lesley and Jomeen, Julie and Hanefeld, Nicola
(2021)
A systematic exploration of a perinatal wellbeing framework through women's experiences of lumbo-pelvic pain.
Midwifery, 100.
p. 103031.
ISSN 0266-6138
Abstract
Background: Women’s wellbeing during the perinatal period has received increasing attention in research, policy
and practice, but is often poorly defined and conceptualised. We have developed a framework of perinatal well-being (PWB) which we will refine further in this review, using the example of lumbo-pelvic pain (LPP). Perinatal
LPP, which includes lower back pain (LBP) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP), is common and can significantly affect
women’s wellbeing.
Aim: The aims of this review are (1) to synthesise research into women’s experiences of LPP and (2) to use these
findings to contribute further to developing our framework of PWB.
Designs and methods: A systematic search of online databases was conducted for qualitative studies exploring
women’s experiences of LPP linked to the perinatal period; 15 papers describing 11 studies were identified. A
framework synthesis approach (Carroll et al., 2011; Carroll et al., 2013) was used to synthesise studies, using the
PWB framework as the a priori framework.
Findings: The review highlights the impact of LPP on all areas of women’s lives and their functioning at every level,
as well as the impact of a range of factors on women’s experiences. Only one study explored women’s experiences
of LBP, all others focused on PGP. Findings illustrate how multi-faceted women’s wellbeing is in the context of
LPP, particularly the importance of relationships and support, but also the role played by wider socio-cultural
discourses of pregnancy and motherhood and by women’s individual circumstances and characteristics. Findings
underline the interconnectedness of physical, emotional and psychological experiences. The review largely confirmed, and further elaborated, the domains of the original framework, but also led to some changes, notably the
inclusion of an ‘individual factors’ domain describing women’s individual circumstances and characteristics. The
limited discussion of LPP during labour and birth was notable.
Conclusions and implications: Findings support the framework, but also provide evidence for some changes, thus
further refining the framework. Women’s wellbeing in the perinatal period (with regards to LPP, other issues, or
generally) should not be considered in isolation, but needs to take account of women’s life context. The perinatal
period should be considered a continuum, rather than seeing each part in isolation. For clinical practice, the
review underlines the importance of distinguishing between PGP and LBP and offering appropriate, individualised
support.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Maternal wellbeing; Perinatal wellbeing; Back pain; Pelvic girdle pain;Systematic review; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
| Item ID: |
18676 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103031 |
| Depositing User: |
Franziska Wadephul
|
| Date Deposited: |
20 Jun 2024 13:20 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Midwifery |
| Publisher: |
Elsevier |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
Repository Staff Only(login required)
 |
Item control page |
Downloads per month over past year
Origin of downloads
Altmetric
Altmetric