“A Defeat not to Be Ultra-Fit”: Expectations and Experiences Related to Pregnancy and Employment in Contemporary Norway

Topic modelling and opinion mining of user generated content on the internet using machine learning: An analysis of postpartum care centres in Shanghai

In order to reach a compromise between adhering to the traditional culture and embracing the modern lifestyle, more and more Asian moms are heading towards postpartum care centres for postpartum recovery. However, research regarding the quality of care of these postpartum care centres is nearly missing from the literature. This paper investigated the status quo of the postpartum care centres in Shanghai, China from mothers’ perspectives by means of analysing the 34280 pairs of ratings and reviews posted by postpartum care centre customers on the internet with machine learning and text mining. Results show that the mothers are generally satisfied with the studied care centres. Meanwhile, the 13 major topics in the customer online reviews were identified, which provide an overview of the interaction between a mother and a care centre. In addition, weight of topic analysis suggests that the studied care centres can further improve in the areas of support team, environment, and facility.

A systematic exploration of a perinatal wellbeing framework through women's experiences of lumbo-pelvic pain

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 wellbeing (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.

Health Resources and Strategies among Employed Women in Norway during Pregnancy and Early Motherhood

The number of women in paid employment is increasing. However, when becoming a mother for the first time, many seem unprepared for the challenge of balancing motherhood and work as well as for the impact on their health. The aim of this study was to investigate the health resources and strategies of employed women in Norway during pregnancy and early motherhood by means of salutogenic theory. A hypothetical-deductive interpretive approach based on Antonovsky's salutogenic theory was applied in a secondary analysis. A total of six themes were identified; three were classified as health resources when experiencing tension and three as health strategies. Salutogenic theory seems to be a useful framework for illuminating the health resources and strategies adopted by employed women who become mothers. The identified health resources when experiencing tension and the health strategies applied may have implications for maternity care professionals and employers in promoting the health of such women and supporting them to combine work and family life.

"They ask whether this is real or fake": a qualitative norwegian study of pregnancy complaints and access to social benefits

Women increasingly combine paid work and childbearing, but working full time throughout pregnancy is commonly experienced as overtaxing. We explored access to sick leave or medical care as experienced by Norwegian women suffering from pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Through a grounded theory approach we compared results from qualitative interviews and open Internet discussions, and found that women struggled with credibility and that their claims for sick leave or medical care were commonly disregarded. Support from peers was seen as instrumental in regaining control over their health and was a vehicle in developing critical health literacy.