Edinburgh Napier University

  Prevalence rates and the health problems related to maternal distress instigated the development of an intervention to prevent and reduce maternal distress during pregnancy. Intervention Mapping served as a framework for the intervention development. A needs assessment using the PRECEDE model and the results of a crosssectional study among healthy pregnant women, showed factors that are significantly related to women’s vulnerability or development of maternal distress - for which midwives need to screen. A systematic review and meta-analysis showed evidence for use of selective and indicated prevention strategies in midwifery practice. Interviews and a survey among midwives exploring their behavioral intentions of antenatal management of care of maternal distress, showed midwives’ educational needs for screening. All these factors were taken on board while developing, producing and implementing the intervention. The intervention consisted of a training and toolkit for midwives and a tailored web-based program for women. A non-randomized pre-post intervention study was conducted to evaluate the intervention for its effect. The intervention was shown to be effective in preventing and reducing maternal distress during pregnancy, albeit to take the limitations of the respective separate studies into account.