Abstract
Pregnancy is not a disease or illness, but requires clinical surveillance as life-threatening complications can develop. Preeclampsia, one such potentially serious complication, puts both mother and baby at risk. Self-monitoring blood pressure in the general population is well established, and its potential in pregnancy is currently being explored. In the context of self-monitoring, the information and guidance given to women regarding hypertension, and the literature they themselves seek out during pregnancy, are vital to perceptions of disease risk and subsequent responses to, and management of, any symptoms. Drawing on online, offline, official, and unofficial sources of information, discourses are examined to provide analysis of how self-responsibilization is reflected in contemporary information, advice, and guidance drawn from multiple sources. A paradox emerges between the paternalistic and lay discourses that seek to challenge and regain control. Findings are discussed in the context of Foucault’s governmentality and medical power.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1632-1644 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Qualitative health research |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 11 Jun 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was funded by a grant from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) National School for Primary Care Research (grant number 310). Dr. Lisa Hinton is based at the Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute (THIS Institute), University of Cambridge. THIS Institute is supported by the Health Foundation, an independent charity committed to bring about better health and health care for people in the United Kingdom. Richard McManus is supported by a Research Professorship from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR-RP-R2-12-015). Richard McManus is an NIHR Senior Investigator. Katherine Tucker, Richard McManus, and Bethany Jakubowski have received funding from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Oxford (NIHR CLAHRC Oxford), now recommissioned as NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Oxford and Thames Valley. Bethany Jakubowski also receives funding from the Primary Care Research Trust.
Data Availability Statement
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Keywords
- blood pressure
- discourse analysis
- information
- preeclampsia
- pregnancy
- qualitative methods
- responsibilization
- self-monitoring
- United Kingdom