Activity restriction in hospital to prevent preterm birth (PTB) is widely used as the first step of treatment. It is associated with adverse physiological and psychological effects on maternal and fetal health that might persist years after birth.A sample of 10 pregnant women who were hospitalized for being at risk for PTB were purposively recruited to describe their lived experience via semi-structured in-depth interview. Five themes were identified, the maternal role establishment and suspending responsibilities, the women's perception of fear of uncertainty and finding support, dissatisfaction of care, the change of routine life and family relationships, and the cultural influence from the participants perspectives. Pregnant women with threat of PTB endure the physical and psychological suffering from being hospitalized to reach their ultimate goal of “having alive and healthy child via safe birth.” A nurse’s understanding of this experience is essential to provide a competent, compassionate and woman-centered care that can help women to cope and to establish maternal role. The study findings serve as a framework for improving services at health care facilities to be mother friendly to mitigate the negative effect of hospitalization during pregnancy on the women and their child health years after birth.
Keywords
Hospitalization, Jordan, Pregnancy, Preterm Birth, Qualitative Research, Women
Author Bio(s)
Dua' Yousef Al-Maharma is a teacher of nursing at The University of Jordan. She received her bachelor of nursing degree from The University of Jordan and her Master in Maternal and Newborn Nursing from Jordan University of Science and Technology. She has a long experience in teaching maternal health nursing clinical courses. Her research interests are in qualitative and quantitative research in women health during pregnancy and childbirth. Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: d.maharma@ju.edu.jo.
Inaam A. Khalaf, PhD, RN, is a professor of nursing at the University of Jordan- School of Nursing in Jordan, she teaches nursing research, nursing theory, nursing education and child health nursing in graduate and undergraduate programs. Her research activity aims at increasing understanding of nursing education, maternal health among families, and grief. She published mostly in high impact factor international Journal, many of her publication was funded through national and international grants, and her publications are highly cited. Correspondence can also be addressed directly to: khalafd@ju.edu.jo.
Professor Fathieh Abu-Moghli earned her BSc from the Faculty of Nursing- the University of Jordan and her Master and PhD in Nursing Administration from Alexandria University / Egypt. Dr. Abu-Moghli is an expert in management and leadership, curriculum building, quality improvement and personnel management. She had occupied many academic and administrative positions at the School of Nursing at the University of Jordan, as well as Jordan University Hospital and had been the director of the Studies Department at the Center of Consultation and a member in the executive board of the Jordanian Nursing Council for four years and is a member of the Jordanian Nurses and Midwives Council. She is a member in several committees at the school level, the university level and country level. Dr. Abu-Moghli teaches at the level of undergraduate and graduate programs. She is a reviewer for several international and prestigious journals. She provides consultations for many national and international institutions. Correspondence can also be addressed directly to: fathieh@ju.edu.jo.
Sajeda Alhamory RN, MS.c., is a PhD student candidate in school of Nursing at The University of Jordan. She received her master’s degree in critical care nursing from The University of Jordan. Her research interest in grief after perinatal loss. Correspondence can also be addressed directly to: sajeda.alhamory@hotmail.com.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Deanship of Academic Research and Quality Assurance, at The University of Jordan for funding this study. Appreciation is expressed to the study participants, without whom this study would not have been possible
Al-Maharma, D. Y.,
Khalaf, I. A.,
Abu-Moghli, F.,
&
Alhamory, S.
(2020).
“Save My Baby”: The Lived Experience of Hospitalized Pregnant Women With a Threat of Preterm birth.
The Qualitative Report,
25(4), 1042-1059.
https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4325
