Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Pregnancy is life changing, making great demands on women to adapt physically, psychologically, and socially. Social relationships and the support that flow from these provide a critical role in managing health problems in pregnancy. Isolation and lack of care, in contrast, may lead women to experience increased distress during this time. Objective: This study aimed to explore South African women's perception and experience of care and support in pregnancy. Methods: A life history approach was employed to explore women’s experiences of pregnancy and sexual behaviour, with each participant encouraged to narrate important life events from her own perspective. We drew on narrative interviews with 15 pregnant women, conducted between July and October 2015, in which we explored questions regarding pregnancy planning and the provision and receipt of care. A thematic approach was employed to code and analyse the data. Results: Themes that emerged from the interviews showed that participants gained a sense of stability in their lives when they had support in their pregnancy, especially when dealing with challenging situations. This support came variously from family, friends, and social networks. Overall, those participants who mentioned the most support, and its diversity across different groups, reported a better experience of pregnancy. Conclusions: Women emphasised the importance of social and emotional support in pregnancy. Understanding women’s experiences can assist in making pregnancy less overwhelming, and can add to a woman’s ability to deal with different challenges before and after the arrival of the new baby.
Highlights
Pregnancy is life changing, making great demands on women to adapt physically, psychologically, and socially
We explore what pregnant women perceive and experience as care and support, with data illustrating the significance for pregnant women of having a network of people to enable them to cope with different stressors that arise during pregnancy
Four reported that their partners were known by their families and they were cohabiting, but no formal arrangement had been made for compensation for the ex-nuptial pregnancy, nor had bride price been paid
Summary
Pregnancy is life changing, making great demands on women to adapt physically, psychologically, and socially. Results: Themes that emerged from the interviews showed that participants gained a sense of stability in their lives when they had support in their pregnancy, especially when dealing with challenging situations. This support came variously from family, friends, and social networks. Pregnancy is life changing, making great demands on women to adapt physically, psychologically, and socially [1] It is a transition in life which brings many challenges [1,2], and for this reason, the care and support extended to women can impact greatly on their lives and contribute to how they experience the pregnancy [1,2,3,4]. These personal, social, and cultural factors vary in different contexts
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
