Hanefeld, Nicola and Glover, Lesley and Jomeen, Julie and Wadephul, Franziska (2021) Women's experiences of using the Alexander Technique in the postpartum: ‘…in a way, it's just as beneficial as sleep’. Midwifery, 103. p. 103155. ISSN 0266-6138

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Abstract

Background The postpartum is a transitional period and potentially challenging time of heightened vulnerability for women where self-care is compromised. Mothers can ignore their needs while prioritising baby care. The Alexander Technique (AT) is a holistic self-management technique shown to be effective in managing some psycho-physical tension issues and heightening self-efficacy and self-care. The AT has potential to help compromised aspects of maternal well-being in the postpartum. Objective To explore how women familiar with the AT use it for the key postpartum issues of Sleep and rest, one of three superordinate themes identified in a qualitative interview study. Design Semi-structured interviews via Skype. Research approach: Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Participants Seven women, with varying levels of AT experience, 4–13 months postpartum. Findings Participants used a variety of self-care strategies through modifying their self-management with respect to Sleep and rest. Identified sub-themes were the ‘knitting’ of maternal and infant sleep, how participants rested using the AT and recognising maladaptive habits. Key conclusions Further research into the AT as an approach to supporting perinatal well-being is warranted. Implications for practice The AT has significance for self-management, self-care, addressing maternal needs for rest, restorative sleep as well as tension issues in the postpartum.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Interpretative phenomenological analysis; Postpartum; Alexander technique; Self-care; Sense of agency; Well-being;
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	18678
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103155
Depositing User:	Franziska Wadephul
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2024 13:33
Journal or Publication Title:	Midwifery
Publisher:	Elsevier
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	Publisher
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

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