Adaptation in pregnant women: a descriptive phenomenological study using Giorgi’s approach

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the lived experience and meaning of pregnant women’s adaptation.Methods: Ten pregnant women living in Daejeon and Sejong agreed to participate in this study. The data were collected through telephone in-depth interviews regarding ‘pregnant women’s adaptation. The qualitative data were analyzed using Giorgi’s method of descriptive phenomenology.Results: Five core situation components were extracted from the raw data, along with 12 themes and 33 focal meanings. The five core situations were 1) the situation when the woman first recognized the pregnancy, 2) the situation of change related with pregnancy, 3) the situation related to the upcoming birth, 4) postpartum-related situations, and 5) the situation related to parenting. The 12 themes were as follows: “anxiety, pressure, and embarrassment due to pregnancy,” “efforts to adapt to physical changes,” “efforts to adapt to the psychological difficulties of pregnancy,” “efforts to adapt to the financial burden and role changes caused by pregnancy,” “connecting with the fetus,” “adapting to a new marital relationship centering on the baby,” “the frustration of childbirth,” “fear of childbirth,” “postpartum care, need help with lactation planning,” “parenting beyond one’s imagination,” “dad’s willingness to participate in parenting,” and “career disconnect and consideration of workplace needs.”Conclusion: We conclude that pregnant women experience adaptation in physical, psychological, relational, and social aspects. The thematic clusters identified in the results might be used to develop a nursing intervention to promote adaptation to pregnancy among pregnant women.