Table 1 Interview Topic Guide

Topic one: Understanding of hypertension

Explore the women’s health beliefs surrounding their diagnosis of hypertension, e.g. when it was diagnosed and how they felt about it. Exploration into their beliefs regarding causation may also occur.

Topic two: Antihypertensive medication use during pregnancy

Explore concerns and experiences associated with the safety of using specific antihypertensive medications during pregnancy and thoughts on the importance of continuing them through pregnancy.

Investigate whether there was decreased or increased use of any particular medication and why, and factors contributing to compliance. Ask participants to compare the use of blood pressure medications to other medications during pregnancy.

Topic three: Medication beliefs

Explore the women’s general medication beliefs related to the use of other medications during the current pregnancy, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and alternative therapies, their perceived safety and benefits.