What experiences did the high risk pregnancy reveal to the couple?

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Midwifery and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling, School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University , Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Midwifery, Gorgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the prevalence of high-risk pregnancies in developing countries, the increase in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, as well as the adverse effects of these pregnancies on the mental health of couples، it is necessary to understand the experience of high-risk pregnancy in couples. Since one of the most realistic ways to achieve the challenges ahead is to use people's own experiences, this study was conducted with aim to explain the experience of couples with high-risk pregnancies.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2018 on couples with high-risk pregnancies in the health centers and Sayad Hospital in Gorgan. The participants were selected in a purposeful way and with maximum diversity for structured in-depth interviews. Guba and Lincoln criteria were used for data accuracy. The data collection and analysis was done simultaneously based on the contract qualitative content analysis process based on Granheim's method and by MAXQDA software (version 10).
Results: Totally, 23 couples with high-risk pregnancies participated. The age range of women was 20-45 years and men were 22-52 years. The contents included the concern and fear of couples for maternal and fetal health, the way to deal with the problem, and need to comprehensive services and support of the relatives.
Conclusion: Considering the worry about maternal and fetal health and the lack of comprehensive services, paying attention to increasing information and acquiring skills to cope with problems and a healthy lifestyle in couples, as well as providing comprehensive supportive services and support of the relatives is required in order to couples have a good experience of high-risk pregnancy by reducing high-risk pregnancy complications.

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