250. ‘It was my body. It was happening to me. I should have known.’ Women’s knowledge and information needs in pregnancies complicated by pre eclampsia

Introduction Raised blood pressure (BP) is a common problem in pregnancy which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality for mother and child, particularly when accompanied by proteinuria or other metabolic changes (pre-eclampsia). Consequently, blood pressure and urinary protein are monitored by health professionals throughout pregnancy. There is little research on the psychological consequences of experiencing pre-eclampsia, although women’s perceptions and experiences suggest they are physically and emotionally distressed (Furuta 2014). Women’s knowledge about hypertension in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia, and their information needs during and after pregnancy, are largely unknown. Methods In depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with women in the UK who had experienced pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome about their experiences of pregnancy and its complications. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis. Thematic analysis was undertaken based using constant comparison. Results 17 women were interviewed. Women often didn’t know how serious blood pressure problems in pregnancy could be, and described knowledge journeys from largely ignorance to becoming experts. Women often struggled to understand and make sense of information they were given, especially while they were ill. They described pinch points when information was particularly important: on receiving diagnosis, admission to hospital, during labour and at discharge. Although women and their relatives could go online, information and communication from health professionals was key. In the absence of verbal explanations, sometimes women interpreted body language and glanced looks. Discussion Our analysis highlights the lack of knowledge that women have about hypertension in pregnancy and its risks. If they develop complications their learning curve is steep and often frightening. The need for clear communication from health professionals and more reliable information about the risks and reality of pre-eclampsia are needed.