title: Symptoms of preterm labor and self-diagnostic confusion.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to learn how women experiencing preterm labor come to know a health deviation exists, and what they do when faced with such a problem. Grounded theory methodology was used as the research approach. Extensive interviews were conducted with 28 women about their care-seeking experiences with preterm labor. Ambiguous symptoms, absence of a meaningful label to attach to symptoms, and the context of pregnancy with its expected discomforts come together to create a situation of diagnostic confusion. Appropriate action to take in response to the diagnostic confusion is not self-evident. Deliberate and protracted efforts to make sense of and deal with symptoms of preterm labor are attempted. Making sense consists of three subprocesses: comparing, gathering data, and seeking information. Strategies used to deal with the symptoms include self-treating, ignoring, positive thinking, and waiting. Recourse to a professional is used as the strategy of last resort when symptoms can no longer be contained.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Service Department, Montclair Baptist Medical Center, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bradle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D016304:Hospitals, Private / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors