The theme of the master's thesis is the presentation of the experience of bed rest during a high-risk pregnancy. In the theoretical part, I first introduce what a high-risk pregnancy is and what the prescribed measure of bed rest refers to, including when it is prescribed. Next, foreign research is presented with the attempt to determine how bed rest affects the psychosocial and emotional well-being of women, as well as what forms of assistance and support are available to this group in our social environment.
The empirical part offers the results of a virtual focus (support) group with seven pregnant women after having been prescribed bed rest at home due to high-risk pregnancies. All of the women in question define their experience as extremely demanding, as well as an experience which has affected both their self-perception and interpersonal relationships. Having been prescribed with bed rest, the women initially reacted with shock and feelings of fear regarding
the health of the child and disappointment at the loss of the concept of a "healthy-fit" pregnancy. A difference in response was detected depending on whether this was the women’s first experience of bed rest or they have previously already been faced with such a situation. Bed rest mainly affected the emotional and psychosocial well-being of the women and their family dynamics. The women primarily express the need for psychosocial support and assistance with childcare and household chores. They name their partner as the main source of support. Partner support stands out as the most significant protective factor against anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The pregnant women developed various coping strategies having experienced the bed rest. The most common strategy was a positive thinking mindset and a strategy we named "for the good of the child". The virtual focus group proved to be an effective tool in providing mutual assistance and support to this vulnerable group. Despite some initial doubts about the usability of the group, most participants rated their participation in the group as valuable and beneficial in coping with the various challenges during the prescribed bed rest period.
The thesis describes an area where social pedagogues can create space for discussion and offer support to women, making them become aware of their feelings when facing bed rest, motherhood and its challenges. As group moderators, we can provide a safe space and thereby guide the group and individuals on the path of recognizing their needs and finding sources of strength they could benefit from and therefore ease the experience of bed rest in pregnancy.
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