The concern of fetal health: women's experiences of worries during pregnancy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD of Reproductive Health, Counseling and Reproductive Health Research Center, Boyeh School of Nursing and Midwifery, Goelstan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.

2 PhD of Socio-Epidemiology, Health Sciences Research Centre, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 PhD of Reproductive Health, Evidence-Based Care Research Centre, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Mothers face different kinds of worries during pregnancy and understanding the reasons for worries can help health care providers to find the strategies to reduce worries during pregnancy. Therefore, this qualitative study was conducted to explore the Iranian women's experiences of worries during pregnancy.
Methods: In this qualitative study, which was conducted using content analysis approach, 20 pregnant women, three of their husbands and three experienced midwives were selected purposively from urban health center in Gorgan, North of Iran. To reach maximum diversity in the participants were selected from different ethnic groups and socioeconomic status. Semi-structured interviews were conducted during one year (2014-2015). All interviews were transcribed and analyzed by conventional content analysis recommended by Graneheim & Lundman (2004) using MAXQDA software.
Results: Through data analysis 849 open codes were identified which were grouped in four categories including the concern of fetal health, being worried about having a safe childbirth, inability to accept parental roles and threatening of marital life due to decreased sexual activity in pregnancy. The majority of pregnant women were worried about fetal health.
Conclusion: The main concern of mothers during pregnancy is concern about fetal health; even the choice of cesarean delivery is due to fetal protection from trauma during childbirth

Keywords

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 19, Issue 28
October 2016
Pages 10-21

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