Women’s expectations and experiences of rupture of membranes and views of the potential use of reagent pads for detecting amniotic fluid

Spiby, Helen; Borrelli, Sara E.; Hughes, Anita J.

Abstract

AIMS: To explore first time mothers’ expectations and experiences regarding rupture of membranes (RoM) at term, and their views on the potential use of reagent pads that detect amniotic fluid.
BACKGROUND: There is little information available on women’s experiences of spontaneous rupture of membranes, or interest in utilising methods to confirm rupture of membranes (e.g. reagent pads).
DESIGN: Descriptive qualitative study, utilising focus groups and telephone interviews with women during pregnancy and after the birth of their first baby. Thematic analysis was undertaken to analyse women’s responses.
METHODS: Ethics committee approval was obtained. Twenty-five women participated in the study of whom 13 contributed both during pregnancy and postpartum between October 2015 and March 2016.
FINDINGS: Three overarching themes emerged from the data from women’s expectations and experiences: uncertainty in how, when and where membranes may rupture; information which was felt to be limited and confirmation of rupture of membranes. The potential use of reagent pads met with varied responses.
CONCLUSION: Women were interested in having facts and figures regarding RoM, such as characteristics of liquor; volume and probability of membranes rupturing spontaneously at term. Use of a pad as a means of confirmation was viewed as helpful, although the potential for increasing anxiety was raised.

Citation

Spiby, H., Borrelli, S. E., & Hughes, A. J. (2017). Women’s expectations and experiences of rupture of membranes and views of the potential use of reagent pads for detecting amniotic fluid. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 73(12), 3041-3049. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13365

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jul 16, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 20, 2017
• Journal: Journal of Advanced Nursing
• Print ISSN: 0309-2402
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2648
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 73
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 3041-3049
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13365
• Keywords: Rupture of membranes; Expectations; Experiences; Midwifery; Mothers Nurse-Midwifery; Uncertainty; Reagent pad; Amniotic fluid; Early labour.
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/964995
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jan.13365/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Spiby H, Borrelli S, Hughes AJ. Women's expectations and experiences of rupture of membranes and views of the potential use of reagent pads for detecting amniotic fluid. J Adv Nurs. 2017;00:1–9, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jan.13365. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Jul 20, 2017