Pregnancy worries in nulliparous women: A qualitative content analysis study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Although pregnancy is a pleasurable period for most women, but generally, it is a stressful period with physical and psychological changes. Mothers’ worries during pregnancy are associated with more problems in pregnancy. Improving well-being is one of the important goals for pregnant women. The aim of this study was to explore the concerns of pregnancy in nulliparous women. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study was performed through the conventional content analysis via using Granhiem and Landman method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 primiparous mothers in Kashan and data saturation was obtained. Data analysis was performed using the MAXQDA 10 software. Results: Data analysis led to two categories and subclasses. The first category was the mother’s concerns about her health during pregnancy, which included the following categories: changes in physical and mental conditions during pregnancy and coping with its, healthy childbirth, family and social support, role playing as a spouse, and Parental role challenges. The second category was the mother’s concerns about the health of fetus in pregnancy, which included the following categories: Unpleasant thoughts about fetal formation, responsibility for fetal health, and Fear of fetal injury during pregnancy and childbirth. Conclusion: Pregnant women during pregnancy suffer from a number of concerns about their own health and their fetus, which can threaten the health of both. Therefore, it seems that mothers ‘health care providers can help mothers to experience a safer pregnancy by reducing negative thoughts by holding training classes.