Young single women's experiences of pregnancy, adjustment, decision-making and ongoing identity construction

Abstract

Objective: To explore young pregnant women's experiences of embodiment, ongoing identity construction, decision-making processes and the way in which these are influenced by contemporary discourse, information sources and interaction with health professionals and others.

Design: An exploratory descriptive pilot study. Data were collected via diaries kept during pregnancy, two face-to-face, open-ended interviews, one in the second trimester of pregnancy and one six to eight weeks after the birth of the baby, and a brief telephone interview conducted six months post birth.

Setting: A major metropolitan hospital for women in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and the community.

Participants: Five English speaking participants, aged between 17 and 23 years.

Findings: All the young women accepted, even welcomed, the physical changes of pregnancy. Acceptance of pregnancy and an evolving positive sense of identity was assisted by support from families, particularly mothers, access to sympathetic and expert health professionals, exposure to a range of opinions through classes, books and the media, general acceptance from society at large, support from friends, and choices and opportunities in relation to ongoing education and employment.