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Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as a Useful Methodology for Research
on the Lived Experience of Women with a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy

N. Vorawalai, N. Chaloumsuk, N. Sansiriphun, and P. Klunklin 1
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Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) persisting to the postpartum period is a
significant cause of short- and long-term maternal morbidity. Previous studies showed that postpartum
hypertension self-management led to reduced blood pressure. However, there is no in-depth explanation
of postpartum women’ perceptions regarding meaning of having HDP, management of HDP, and factors
influencing this management based on their lived experience. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
(IPA) was the analysis method dealing with understanding the lived experience of women with a HDP in
order to plan women-centered nursing care based on their perceptions, and context-sensitive approaches
appropriate for their context.

Objective: To describe methods of data collection and analysis, before presenting an example of the
super-ordinate theme based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach.

Methods: Purposive sampling with inclusion criteria was used to obtain the participants. The data
were collected through semi-structured interviews with two women in northern Thailand diagnosed
preeclampsia/eclampsia in their preceding pregnancy. Data analysis consisted of six steps: reading
and re-reading, initial noting, developing emergent themes, searching for connections across
emergent themes, moving to the next case, and looking for patterns across cases.

Results: Once the six steps of IPA were conducted, two super-ordinate themes were developed from
emergent themes. “Traumatic experiences within vulnerability” was emerged from the participants’
perception of underlying emotional uncertainty and internal battle between fight or flight. “It’s what we do
that makes a recovery” was emerged from responsibility for lifestyle change and self-awareness facilitates
behavior changes.

Conclusion: The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis fits particularly well with the understanding of
the lived experiences which are complex and/or emotional. This study reveals a need for improving the
continuous care for women with a HDP. Health care professionals must be aware and assess traumatic
experiences within vulnerability. Furthermore, there is a need for individualized support to motivate a
woman with HDP for continuous self-management.

Keywords: interpretative phenomenological analysis, postpartum women, hypertensive disorder of
pregnancy
Poster Presentation Abstracts

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Correspondence: Nonglak Chaloumsuk, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
E-mail: nonglak.c@cmu.ac.th

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