Exploring UP journeys among women with psychiatric vulnerability using interpretative phenomenological analysis 171 Participant 7 stressed the importance of prevention; she tried to prevent difficulties with postpartum mother–child bonding by seeking help beforehand. Her transcript was marked by her wish to not perpetuate intergenerational patterns or traumas. "And seeking help or trying beforehand to do it as well as possible and seeking help in that process. I believe you have that responsibility as a parent." (Participant 7) Both participants 1 and 7 showed responsibility and an urge for prevention, not only treatment. Participant 9 prioritized her child’s wellbeing by addressing it as ‘the most important thing’ (participant 9). These words illustrated the significance of her child for her during pregnancy. "The most important thing for me was to get to the perinatal psychiatry outpatient clinic because there's also a pediatrician involved, […] the most important thing is that the unborn child isn't harmed." (Participant 9) Participant 3 echoed the view that taking care of your mental health situation is more crucial when a child is involved and has fueled her wish for help. "[…] But it becomes dangerous when there's something, of course, growing inside you, something beyond yourself. So, I did actually, [..] immediately called again on Monday morning saying: I need help, otherwise it won't go well." (Participant 3) Participant 5 asked for treatment when she realized that her symptoms worsened. "I went to my doctor and then I said: I don't want to have a baby. I am going to get crazy. I'm going to kill myself because I don't want this. This cannot be happening. So, I was completely out of my mind and then I said: please, can you please help me with some... ehm, I need that mental health support." (Participant 5) Although the participants expressed their own motivation to seek help, there were concerns regarding the availability of mental health care for women with perinatal mental health problems. Participant 2 expressed that she lacked information about the effect of pregnancy on her psychiatric vulnerability and where she could find treatment and support, even though she had previously received psychiatric care.
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