title: Women's experiences of preeclampsia: Australian action on preeclampsia survey of women and their confidants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The experience of normal pregnancy is often disrupted for women with preeclampsia (PE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Postal survey of the 112 members of the consumer group, Australian Action on Pre-Eclampsia (AAPEC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surveys were returned by 68 women (61% response rate) and from 64 (57%) partners, close relatives or friends. Respondents reported experiencing pre-eclampsia (n = 53), eclampsia (n = 5), and/or Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets (HELLP syndrome) (n = 26). Many women had no knowledge of PE prior to diagnosis (77%) and, once diagnosed, did not appreciate how serious or life threatening it was (50%). Women wanted access to information about PE. Their experience contributed substantial anxiety towards future pregnancies. Partners/friends/relatives expressed fear for the woman and/or her baby and had no prior understanding of PE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PE experience had a substantial effect on women, their confidants, and their babies and affected their approach to future pregnancies. Access to information about PE was viewed as very important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Melbourne and Department of Perinatal Medicine, Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. eastc@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: East
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Conway
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frawley
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brennecke
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D004461:Eclampsia / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology