Writing therapeutically about chronic pregnancy sickness: women's perceptions of sufficiency.

This paper presents findings of the first study to analyse the uses and sufficiency of writing therapy in the context of pregnancy sickness. Ten women, previously hospitalised due to Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG), a chronic pregnancy related illness, participated in this research study. Participants completed four expressive writing tasks, at home, over a 2-week period, followed by a semi-structured, qualitative telephone interview. The study thematically analysed participants' experiences of engagement with the writing process, including writing for self rather than audience, and how writing compared to talking about their illness experience. Findings are consistent with the existing research literature on the therapeutic value of reflective writing and contribute new knowledge regarding women's first-person experiences of this in a new population. Data were analysed through a psychotherapeutic lens by a researcher who lived with HG throughout both of her own pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]