Supporting Women With Mild to Moderate Anxiety in Pregnancy: a Feasibility Study of a Midwife Facilitated Intervention

Abstract Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the acceptability and feasibility of an intervention to support women with mild to moderate anxiety in pregnancy.Design: The intervention development and feasibility testing followed the MRC guidelines for complex interventions. A feasibility study was conducted between April - May 2016.Methods: Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. The intervention was delivered in three components: pre-group individual meeting with the midwife; group sessions; guided self-help resources. The intervention was facilitated by midwives and co-facilitated by midwifery support workersResults: Eight women with self-reported symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety participated in the study. Women reported an improvement in anxiety symptoms and felt they had benefitted from participation. Accessing social support from other women in similar circumstances had helped women to feel less isolated and facilitated open and honest discussions. Women valued the involvement of the midwife facilitator to support their wellbeing and provide specific advice about their pregnancies.Conclusions: The intervention design appeared to be acceptable and beneficial for this group of women. This study highlights the potential for midwives to facilitate supportive interventions to enhance the current provision of emotional support for women with anxiety symptoms in pregnancy and address the current gap in services. The intervention is potentially feasible for introduction into current clinical practice with minimal additional resources.