The meaning of caring in prenatal care from Swedish women's perspectives.

Abstract

To deepen understanding of the meaning of caring in prenatal care from Swedish women's perspectives. Ten women, who had given birth between 1 and 2 months previously, were interviewed. The women have taken part in the routine programme that constitutes maternity care Sweden. A hermeneutic approach inspired by Gadamer was used to analyse the data and gain a deeper understanding of the women's experiences. Three themes were identified in the hermeneutical analysis. The themes highlight an existential and ontological aspect for caring as experienced of the women in the study: invitation and caring promise, witnessing and confirmation, and caring emerges in vulnerability. The life-changing gravidity and vulnerability motivates caritative care during pregnancy. Reception of caring is not just a superficial feeling, but gives a new understanding of life on an ontological level. In a genuine caring relationship, the pregnant woman not only receives something but also a power and an opportunity to go further and find her own inner strength.