Security associated with pregnancy and childbirth--experiences of pregnant women

The aim of this study was to describe security associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Security was described as a human need and as human value. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews in two maternity health care clinics. Data interpretation was based on the method of content analysis. A convenience sample of 20 volunteer Finnish women was interviewed during pregnancy. The elements creating security associated with pregnancy and childbirth were maternity health care, social support, sense of control, and attitudes. The feeling of security was manifested in different resources, feelings and behavior. If the feeling of security associated with pregnancy and childbirth was impaired, the participants would resort to their network of social support, contact health care or social welfare services, or try to achieve a sense of security by their own resources. Feeling secure during pregnancy influences the pregnant woman's resources, feelings and behavior. It is important that professionals in maternity health care talk with the client about issues that influence her individually-experienced security associated with pregnancy and childbirth. These include examination of the client's network of social support and informing the client about the health care and social welfare services available.

Fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth--experiences of women who have recently given birth

OBJECTIVE

To describe fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth and to see whether women who have recently given birth feel that their fears were justified.

DESIGN

A qualitative study. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews. Data interpretation was based on the method of content analysis.

SETTING

The maternity units of two university hospitals in Finland.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 20 women, 10 primiparae and 10 multiparae. The interviews were held 2 or 3 days after childbirth.

FINDINGS

The most common fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth were concerned with the baby's well-being, the course of pregnancy, and childbirth. The fears found expression in different kinds of behaviours, emotions and physical sensations. Many of the participants felt that their fears had not been justified, but some maintained that their fears had been justifiable.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

There was much inter-individual variation in the fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth. It is important that diagnosis during pregnancy is undertaken sensitively and that midwifery staff remember that pregnant women may have very serious fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth. The participants in this study felt that fears associated with pregnancy and childbirth also had positive meanings. It may not be essential to try to protect women against these fears or to remove them altogether, but to give every pregnant women the opportunity to deal with her own fears and to obtain the help she needs in her situation.