A grounded theory of the transition from a high-risk pregnancy to motherhood among women in northern Thailand

Abstract

The transition to motherhood of pregnant women deemed to be of high-risk is a critical period in their lives. They may be confronted with the transition from a woman with a health condition or a healthy pregnancy to being pregnant with complications, and who requires professional and self-care to prevent harm or complications that may occur to both themselves and their fetus. This grounded theory study aimed to explore and develop a theory about the transition experiences from pregnancy to motherhood of such women in Northern Thailand. A purposive sample of 21 women with high-risk pregnancies from the antenatal clinics of two hospitals in Chiang Mai, Thailand were interviewed in-depth during December 2015-August 2016. Interview data were collected and analyzed using grounded theory methodology. The core category that emerged from data analysis was Struggling to have a healthy baby. This transition experience during pregnancy consisted of three phases: Facing a high-risk pregnancy, Hoping for a healthy baby, and Facing the unexpected, and the women underwent many struggles to have a healthy baby. Our findings revealed significant cultural and spiritual beliefs and activities that the women engaged in to ensure a healthy pregnancy, such as eating and drinking traditional herbs, warding off evil, and praying. Midwives and other health care providers can utilize our findings to have a deeper understanding of such women’s feelings, concerns, and strategies to provide comprehensive care for them. They can provide support and encouragement, information about a high-risk pregnancy and its management, and quality nursing care that promotes a good transition experience during pregnancy in this group.