Woman's wellbeing, Aquanatal exercise and Peer Support (Version 2)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of women’s experiences of wellbeing and peer support during pregnancy, through attendance at midwife-led aquanatal exercise classes.
IRAS ID
139478
Contact name
Elizabeth C Davey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 21 days
Research summary
The experience of wellbeing during childbearing is related to physical and emotional health and quality of life. During antenatal care, the midwife provides advice on a range of health and wellness topics to encourage healthy lifestyles for women and families. The clinical assessment allows the midwife to focus discussion with woman to reduce the impact of pregnancy related conditions on her individual childbearing experience.
Common interest groups provide opportunities to meet, share information about health and to promote strategies for wellbeing in addition to family, friends and work colleagues. These groups may offer midwives new opportunities to present positive health messages for pregnant women which use peer support communications in varied community settings.
A case study approach will explore pregnant women’s experience of wellbeing through developing social communities associated with physical activity. The sample will be formed by women who attend a midwife-led class in a community setting. The research will explore women’s experience of wellbeing associated with aquanatal exercise, their experience of peer support from group physical activity, and the impact of health messages during pregnancy.
Women will be recruited from 14 weeks of pregnancy. A questionnaire will be completed to seek information on wellbeing and support during the first weeks of pregnancy. Three focus groups (at 20 weeks, 29 weeks and 38 weeks) will record data from answers to open questions. A final focus group will be held approximately 3 months after birth.
Data obtained from questionnaires and focus groups will be used to provide in-depth data on women’s experience of wellbeing through a social community associated with physical activity. Weekly records by the researcher (as the midwife instructor) together with field notes will provide additional perspective. Data will be analysed using thematic analysis using recognised computer software.
The research will be disseminated in peer reviewed journals and presentations.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/SC/0486
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion