Building capacity and wellbeing in vulnerable/marginalised mothers: A qualitative study.

PROBLEM

The persistence of health inequalities in pregnancy and infancy amongst vulnerable/marginalised groups in the UK.

BACKGROUND

During pregnancy and early motherhood some women experience severe and multiple psychosocial and economic disadvantages that negatively affect their wellbeing and make them at increased risk of poor maternal and infant health outcomes.

AIM

To explore vulnerable/marginalised women's views and experiences of receiving targeted support from a specialist midwifery service and/or a charity.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study was undertaken that involved analysis of routinely collected birth-related/outcome data and interviews with a sample of vulnerable/marginalised women who had/had not received targeted support from a specialist midwifery service and/or a charity. In this paper we present in-depth insights from the 11 women who had received targeted support.

FINDINGS

Four key themes were identified; 'enabling needs-led care and support', 'empowering through knowledge, trust and acceptance', 'the value of a supportive presence' and 'developing capabilities, motivation and confidence'.

DISCUSSION

Support provided by a specialist midwifery service and/or charity improved the maternity and parenting experiences of vulnerable/marginalised women. This was primarily achieved by developing a provider-woman relationship built on mutual trust and understanding and through which needs-led care and support was provided - leading to improved confidence, skills and capacities for positive parenting and health.

CONCLUSION

The collaborative, multiagency, targeted intervention provides a useful model for further research and development. It offers a creative, salutogenic and health promoting approach to provide support for the most vulnerable/marginalised women as they make the journey into parenthood.