Young women′s views of receiving information about the consequences of delayed childbearing: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to explore young women's views about receiving information on the consequences of delaying childbearing. Design The study design was qualitative, focus group (FG) discussions. Setting This study was conducted at the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic in Aberdeen. Participants The study participants were young women (18–25 years of age) attending the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic. Methods Two focus groups with a total of 14 women, semi-structured interviews conducted. Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures were young women's perceptions of receiving information about delayed childbearing. Results A range of factors impacting on childbearing decisions were identified ranging from personal circumstances such as financial and relationship stability to broader societal and cultural expectations. Social stigma associated with having children in the early twenties was found to be an important factor preventing women from having children earlier, even if they wanted to. All participants indicated a need for greater provision of information on the reproductive consequences of delayed pregnancy enabling them to make informed decisions about motherhood. There was consensus among participants that information should be provided in secondary schools as a part of the national curriculum, to both genders, in a nonthreatening and objective way. Conclusions There is a need to provide young women with fertility information. Further research is required to determine how this information could be incorporated as part of the national curriculum, without diluting the message of teenage pregnancy.