Solo mothers’ by choice experiences during pregnancy and early parenthood: Thoughts and feelings related to maternal health-services

Abstract

The present study examined the thoughts and feelings of solo mothers by choice (SMC) regarding their experiences during pregnancy and early parenthood, with special focus on their contact with maternal health-services (MCHS). Semi-structured interviews were carried out with solo mothers (N = 10) who had undergone assisted fertilization in Sweden. Thematic analysis revealed two main themes. The first theme, “Strong individual, vulnerable group”, illustrated a perception among participants that, although SMC as a group are vulnerable, they themselves are strong and do not identify with this vulnerability. It is thus conceivable that staff in MCHS may not detect the vulnerability and needs of these women who have strong incentives to present themselves as strong and competent. The second theme, “Same but different”, reflected the participants’ conflicting needs to be treated like everyone else within the MCHS while at the same time wishing for adaptations of the healthcare services’ praxis so that it better suits their needs as solo mothers. These themes illustrate what may be considered as paradoxical expectations and unreasonable needs in the participants’ contacts with the MCHS, but they also highlight how social attitudes can have an impact on these parents’ individual experiences of healthcare. Because contact with MCHS takes place during a vulnerable period, particular sensitivity and compassionate attention may be needed in order to encourage these women to bring their needs forward.