Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2021

01-12-2021 | Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome | Research article

Pregnancy and parenting experiences of women with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: a qualitative study

Authors: Lijie Ren, Cancan Song, Chunling Xia, Nan Wang, Yan Yang, Shaowei Yin

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Qualitative research can reflect the actual thoughts and experience of research subjects and can be used to explore the experiences of women presenting with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) to facilitate the provision of targeted psychological support.

Methods

A semi-structured interview method was used to assess the pregnancy and parenting experiences of women with TTTS. Colaizzi method was used for data analysis.

Results

Eighteen women participated in the study. We found that women with TTTS during pregnancy experienced persistent worry about their children’s health from the disease diagnosis to the subsequent parenting processes, even in case of minor changes in their children’s health. The lack of an efficient referral process and health information increased their uncertainty about their children’s health.

Conclusion

In addition to the children’s health, other difficulties encountered during pregnancy and parenting may aggravate the pressure. Clinicians in the first-visit hospital and foetal medicine centre should improve the referral process and establish a follow-up system to provide women with health information and psychological support.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
5.
go back to reference Spruijt MS, Lopriore E, Tan R, Slaghekke F, Klumper F, Middeldorp JM, et al. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: is there still room for improvement? J Clin Med. 2019;8(8):1226.CrossRefPubMedCentral Spruijt MS, Lopriore E, Tan R, Slaghekke F, Klumper F, Middeldorp JM, et al. Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: is there still room for improvement? J Clin Med. 2019;8(8):1226.CrossRefPubMedCentral
7.
go back to reference Schifsky K, Deavenport-Saman A, Mamey MR, et al. Risk factors for parenting stress in parents of children treated with laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome 2 years postpartum. Am J Perinatol. 2021;38(9):944-51. Schifsky K, Deavenport-Saman A, Mamey MR, et al. Risk factors for parenting stress in parents of children treated with laser surgery for twin-twin transfusion syndrome 2 years postpartum. Am J Perinatol. 2021;38(9):944-51.
9.
go back to reference Vergote S, Lewi L, Gheysen W, De Catte L, Devlieger R, Deprest J. Subsequent fertility, pregnancy, and gynecologic outcomes after fetoscopic laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome compared with normal monochorionic twin gestations. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;218(4):441–7.CrossRef Vergote S, Lewi L, Gheysen W, De Catte L, Devlieger R, Deprest J. Subsequent fertility, pregnancy, and gynecologic outcomes after fetoscopic laser therapy for twin-twin transfusion syndrome compared with normal monochorionic twin gestations. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018;218(4):441–7.CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Pauling JD, Domsic RT, Saketkoo LA, Almeida C, Withey J, Jay H, et al. Multinational qualitative research study exploring the patient experience of Raynaud’s phenomenon in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70(9):1373–84. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23475.CrossRef Pauling JD, Domsic RT, Saketkoo LA, Almeida C, Withey J, Jay H, et al. Multinational qualitative research study exploring the patient experience of Raynaud’s phenomenon in systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2018;70(9):1373–84. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​acr.​23475.CrossRef
21.
go back to reference Neimanis I, Gaebel K, Dickson R, Levy R, Goebel C, Zizzo A, et al. Referral processes and wait times in primary care. Can Fam Physician. 2017;63(8):619–24.PubMedPubMedCentral Neimanis I, Gaebel K, Dickson R, Levy R, Goebel C, Zizzo A, et al. Referral processes and wait times in primary care. Can Fam Physician. 2017;63(8):619–24.PubMedPubMedCentral
22.
Metadata
Title
Pregnancy and parenting experiences of women with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: a qualitative study
Authors
Lijie Ren
Cancan Song
Chunling Xia
Nan Wang
Yan Yang
Shaowei Yin
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04057-0

Other articles of this Issue 1/2021

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2021 Go to the issue