Bearing the burden of spill-over effects: Living with a woman affected by symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse after vaginal birth – from a partner’s perspective

Introduction

Symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (sPOP) can have a negative impact on a woman’s health. While research exists about the impact of sPOP on women, little is known about the effect on their partners. Therefore, this study aimed to explore, from the partner’s perspective, what it means to live with a woman with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse after vaginal birth.

Methods

A qualitative explorative design with a constructed grounded theory approach was taken to analyse the interviews of 13 partners who experienced living with a woman who had sPOP after vaginal birth.

Results

“The theory of bearing the burden of spill-over effects” was constructed based on a core category: “Facing a new restricted life”, with related categories “Giving up valued activities”; “Struggling with added demands”; “Changing intimate behaviour” and “Redefining future family planning”. The theory also contains factors constraining and enabling adjustment to the new reality. While the shortcomings of healthcare constrained the process of adjustment, getting competent treatment and the feeling of love for the family enabled it.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that women’s sPOP had an apparently negative impact on partners’ health behaviours, sexual health, relationship harmony, and psychological well-being.

The partners indicated they were unprepared for post-birth adversities and distressed by the lack of treatment options. There is a need to develop prenatal information highlighting the potential risks of sPOP which may be accompanied by levator ani muscle injury, implement guidelines for the prevention and management of these conditions, and offer targeted support to partners if needed.