“I guess baby was just too comfy in there…”: A qualitative study of women's experiences of elective late-term induction of labour

BackgroundThe frequency of induction of labour (IOL) in late-term pregnancy has increased significantly, but little is known about how women with uncomplicated pregnancies experience IOL for late-term indication alone.AimTo explore how women with uncomplicated pregnancies experienced late-term IOL.MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 23 women who all had labour induced on late-term indication only. Participants were recruited from two Danish hospitals who offered an outpatient induction regime. The women were interviewed 4–8 weeks after birth. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsAll women had hoped for a spontaneous birth. Prolonged pregnancy was understood as the body/baby “not being ready”, but generally, the women were not worried at that point. Most women felt adequately informed about the reasons for IOL, but some requested more information and time to consider their options. The majority considered IOL to be both an offer and a recommendation. One-third of the participants were initially hesitant but chose/accepted IOL because of weariness from pregnancy and the impatience to deliver a healthy child. The opportunity of outpatient induction was generally appreciated as it allowed the women to continue everyday activities while waiting for labour to begin. Nineteen women reported having a good birthing experience. Two women felt that negative birthing experiences were partly related to IOL.ConclusionsMost women considered the late-term IOL to be a positive experience. Some women requested more information and time to consider alternatives. These women should be provided with supported opportunities to consider the options.     

Pathways to pleasure: Older adult women’s reflections on being sexual beings

Older adult women make up a growing part of the population, and yet literature on the sexual activity over their life spans is lacking. This qualitative interview study explored the experience of 16 women aged 57–91 to better understand sexual pleasure over a lifetime. The participants described having to challenge cultural rules to create a supportive environment for sexual expression. Having access to Novel contexts in which to learn, cultivating Intimacy with partners and with oneself, being Creative with sexual activities, and Extending one’s sense of sexual possibility into advanced age (NICE) supported sexual pleasure as women aged.     

The Toronto Lesbian Family Study

Twenty-seven lesbian mothers completed standardized tools chosen to assess current functioning, followed by a video-taped interview. Verbal children were also interviewed. Questions involved perceptions of the mothers' and children's experiences of being homosexual or being raised by homosexual parents, knowledge and fantasies about the donor/father, feelings regarding the role of fathers, parents' experiences of being fathered, legal issues, and development. All mothers were strongly lesbian identified and most were completely "out." All but one mother planned to or had told their children. All mothers planned to reveal donor information at an appropriate age. Many, especially parents of boys, had concerns about lack of a male role model, but none felt this would negatively affect the child's development. Mothers were open to having their child ask questions and even seek out the donor when older. Thirty-one percent of mothers reported a positive relationship with their own father, 42% a father who was present but unavailable or punitive and 27% a completely absent father for large parts of their childhood. Couples divided parenting work based on individual strengths and interests, work schedules and demands. Only two of the couples felt that one of them played a role typical of a father. An aggregate score was compiled for each mother based on the number of negative outcomes in the standardized tools. The mean number of negative outcomes for the mothers was 3.15 (SD = 1.85). Of the six women with 5 or more negative outcomes on the scales, three were single parents and one had lost her partner when her child was two months old. On the CESD, three mothers showed depression levels that were high. The Internal External scale showed 42% of mothers to have an external locus of control. Three mothers scored negatively on the Family Assessment Device. Ninety-two percent of women showed moderate to high self-esteem on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Parenting Stress Index found only 4 women showing enough stress to warrant follow-up. Mothers who reported very negative early experiences of coming out were more likely to report current depressive symptoms (p = .03). All but one child living in two-mother homes identified both mothers as part of their family. Our initial impression is that these are primarily strong families with a variety of parenting skills, stressors and philosophies.     

Productive Activity and Life Satisfaction in Korean Elderly Women

The purpose of this study is to explain the effect of participation in productive activities on life satisfaction and its implications for social evaluation of productive aging. This study uses data collected from 1,250 elderly women living in urban areas. The regression model was used to examine the influence of elderly women's participation in productive activities on their life satisfaction. Elderly women who participate in volunteer work, learning, and social group activities commonly recognized their activities as meaningful, feeling like worthwhile members of society, and evaluated such activities as very positive. In contrast, elderly women who participated in household chores and family care activities expressed a negative life satisfaction. The difference in life satisfaction regarding productive activities stems not only from the physical and environmental differences but also from the gap between the official social value underpinned by the recognition of surrounding people, their support, and the value of productive activities.     

“Not my child to give away”: A qualitative analysis of gestational surrogates’ experiences

Problem/backgroundLimited empirical data are available on the experiences of women who have been a gestational surrogate.QuestionWhat are the experiences of gestational surrogates along the surrogacy pathway?MethodsAn anonymous study-specific cross-sectional survey was used to evaluate participants’ experience of being a surrogate. A total of 184 Canadian women who were recruited from Canadian surrogacy agencies and the Internet completed the online survey; 9446 words were collected from 110 participants who entered comments to one or more questions. The qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis.FindingsSeven main themes, and eighteen interrelated sub-themes grouped under the pre-, during, and post-surrogacy stages were identified. Many surrogates viewed surrogacy as a positive experience and as something meaningful and impactful to other people’s lives. Most surrogates had harmonious relationships with their intended parents and maintained on-going contact with the surrogacy family post birth.DiscussionSurrogacy involves deliberate efforts to establish a trustful surrogate-parent partnership through relationship building, boundary negotiation, and management of expectations. The compatibility between surrogate and intended parents, regarding aspects such as communication and pregnancy management styles, was an important contributing factor to a positive experience.ConclusionOur findings provide a deeper understanding of participants’ reasons for and motivation to be a surrogate, the relationship dynamics with their intended parents and the gestated fetus during surrogacy, and their satisfaction on personal and relationship levels post surrogacy. The findings would be useful to mental health professionals in preparing new surrogates for the potential challenges along the surrogacy pathway.     

Sexuality in Older Spanish Women: Voices and Reflections

Our research has been aimed at understanding the experience, practice, and sexual life in a group of Spanish women over 50 years of age. We studied a sample of 729 women between 50 and 80 years old. Our results provide qualitative and quantitative information and important insights about the sexual life of Spanish women and identify differences in the experience and reality of sexual life after the age of 70. The status of having or lacking a partner, and a personal interest in emotional relationships and sexual practices, are elements that determine the possibility of enjoying a satisfying postmenopausal sexuality.     

Religion in the Lives of Older Women Serving Life in Prison

This exploratory qualitative study examined the roles of religiousness in the lives of 21 older women (mean age = 63) serving life sentences in one southern state. Based on survey and focus group methodology, several themes emerged as important focal points, including early religious experiences prior to incarceration, imprisonment and religious doubt, participation in formal and informal religious activities, and use of religion in coping with stressors such as interpersonal relationships, trauma, and health statuses. Irrespective of their religious upbringing, all participants agreed that religiosity/spirituality played a key role in their ability to cope with their prison experience as well as for maintaining hope and the opportunity for release.     

Australian women's experiences of living with gestational diabetes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe Australian women's reflections on the experience of having a pregnancy affected by GDM.MethodsParticipants were women aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with GDM ≤3 years previously and registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Data was collected from a cross-sectional written postal survey which included the opportunity for women to document their experiences of living with GDM. Thematic framework analysis was undertaken to determine underlying themes.ResultsOf 4098 invited eligible women, 1372 consented to participate. Of these, 393 provided feedback on their experiences of living with GDM. Eight key themes emerged from the data (1) shock, fear and anxiety (8.9%), (2) uncertainty and scepticism (9.4%), (3) an opportunity to improve one's health (9.6%), (4) adapting to life with GDM (11.6%), (5) the need for support (17.2%), (6) better awareness (3.5%), (7) abandoned (14.9%), (8) staying healthy and preventing diabetes (13.7%). Women taking insulin were more likely to experience shock, fear or anxiety (p = 0.001) and there was a trend towards women who spoke another language also being more likely to report this experience (p = 0.061). Those diagnosed with GDM in a previous pregnancy (p = 0.034) and younger women (p = 0.054) were less likely to view the diagnosis as an opportunity to improve their health.ConclusionsThis study provides an insight into the experience of the pregnant woman diagnosed with GDM. It emphasises the importance of health professional support and provides insight into the challenges and opportunities for future diabetes risk reduction.     

Women's expectations and experiences with labour pain in medical and midwifery models of birth in the United States

BackgroundThis research focuses on how women understand and experience labour as related to two competing views of childbirth pain. The biomedical view is that labour pain is abnormal and anaesthesia/analgesia use is encouraged to relieve the pain. The midwifery view is that pain is a normal part of labour that should be worked with instead of against.AimsTo determine differences in the preparation for and experiences with labour pain by women choosing midwives versus obstetricians.MethodsPrenatal and postpartum in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 80 women in Florida (United States): 40 who had chosen an obstetrician and 40 who had chosen a licensed midwife as their birth practitioner.FindingsWomen in both groups were concerned with the pain of childbirth before and after their labour experiences. Women choosing midwives discussed preparing for pain through various non-pharmaceutical coping methods, while women choosing physicians discussed pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical pain relief.ConclusionsEqual numbers of women expressed concerns with childbirth pain during the prenatal interviews, while more women choosing doctors spoke about pain after their births. Women had negative experiences when their planned pain relief method, either natural or medical, did not occur. The quandary facing women when it comes to labour pain relief is not choosing what they desire, but rather preparing themselves for the possibility that they may have to accept alternatives to their original preferences.     

Puts the magic back into life: Fathers’ experience of planned home birth

BackgroundIn Ireland, planned home birth is seen as an alternative but safe choice of maternity care. Women's experience of home birth is reported as positive but little is known about fathers’ thoughts and feelings about planned home birth.AimThe aim of the study was to explore fathers’ experience of planned home birth.MethodHermeneutic phenomenology was selected to explore the experiences of eight fathers whose partners had a recent planned home birth. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).ResultsThemes identified were ‘negotiating the decision’, ‘ownership of the birth’ and ‘changed way of being’. Fathers overcame their initial reservations about home birth before the decision to plan a home birth was agreed. They were actively involved with their partner in labour which gave themselves a sense of ownership of the experience and a valued post-birth intimacy. Their belief in natural birth was reaffirmed and the experience gave them a new perspective on life.ConclusionWhen men have a positive experience of childbirth they benefit personally and emotionally. This experience can strengthen their relationship with their partner and the family. Midwives are ideally placed to involve fathers actively in birth either in a home or hospital setting.     

LGB Identity and Eudaimonic Well Being in Midlife

Eudaimonic well being refers to personal growth and having purpose and meaning in life. High levels of eudaimonic well being facilitate a positive life experience. The National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) data was used to test a model predicting eudaimonic well being as a function of sexual identity. Reporting a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) identity was associated with lower eudaimonic well-being scores. Results also indicated that perceived daily discrimination, being female, and having less education were associated with lower eudaimonic well being; racial/ethnic minority status was associated with increased eudaimonic well being. These results are discussed in light of recent scholarship on understanding and promoting the well-being of sexual minority individuals.     

Older women’s negative psychological and physical experiences with injectable cosmetic treatments to the face

Seven women (43 to 64 years old) who had negative or mixed emotions about having Botox and/or facial filler injections to the face to reduce signs of aging were interviewed about the impact of the procedures. Impacts ranged from disappointment to all-encompassing, lingering physical and psychological effects, and some women felt abandoned by the medical industrial complex when they turned to it for help with their symptoms. A feminist phenomenological analysis focused on corporeal, temporal, and relational existential modes of being. We describe their bodily experiences as (a) commodified, (b) fractured, (c) abandoned, (d) reflective, and (e) transformed.     

Never married older women: The life experience

Many stereotypes influence attitudes toward never-married women. There is very little existing data on their actual life experiences and how they have handled singlehood over a lifetime. In addition, it is not known if they are subject to some of the common stereotypes of old age. This paper examines and analyses these issues by reporting on in-depth interviews with 15 never-married women who were 80 years of age and over. Although a great diversity was found, most of these women had led satisfying lives and were satisfied with relationships with family members and friends. In addition, they were able to handle the diminishments of age positively and realistically.     

Promoting older women's health and well-being through social leisure environments: what we have learned from the Red Hat Society

The purpose of this study was to describe the ways that participation in a leisure organization contributed to the health and wellbeing of middle-aged and older women. We analyzed 1,693 members' responses to a query about meaningful experiences garnered through participation in the Red Hat Society. Results suggested that older women's lives have been enriched and changed by their experiences, with the women in this study citing multiple psychosocial health benefits from their participation in the Red Hat Society. Main themes encapsulating these health benefits were creating happy moments, responding to transitions and negative events, and enhancing the self. These findings are related to research on positive psychology, social support and coping, transformative leisure processes, and social identity formation. We conclude by providing suggestions for applying these findings to leisure and health promotion programming to enhance women's health and well-being in later life.     

"My mind's made up": assumptions and decision-making in accounts of caregiving women

In this qualitative study, rural women caregivers for elderly relatives or friends were interviewed about their decision-making. Women deliberating decisions differed from women implementing decisions in how they perceived their caregiving tasks and in their experience of stress. The difference in deliberative and implemental accounts suggests that mindset is a mediating factor for the women in the present study. Women in the process of implementing decisions regarding caregiving described their experiences in a more positive light and reported less stress. Deliberating decisions regarding caregiving, however, was likely to color the experience of caregiving, leaving the caregiver feeling vulnerable, doubtful about herself, and more stressed.