Planned adolescent pregnancy: what they wanted.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 15% of all adolescent pregnancies are planned. Little previous research has been conducted regarding why adolescents choose pregnancy or what the experience is like for them.


METHODS
Phenomenology was used to describe adolescents' experience planning their current pregnancy. Eight pregnant adolescents (ages 14 to 17 years) were interviewed.


RESULTS
Eleven themes related to planning a pregnancy during adolescence emerged from the participant interviews. Themes may be divided into two broad categories: themes relating to planning the pregnancy and themes that are related to the pregnancy. Themes related to planning the pregnancy can be further divided into two distinct groups: wants and needs. Themes that were related to planning for pregnancy in the "wants" section included: (a) the desire to be or be perceived as more grown up, with increased responsibility, independence, and maturity; (b) a long history of desiring pregnancy and the maternal role; (c) never having had anything to call their own and wanting something to care for and love; and (d) the pregnancy was the natural next step in their life or their relationship with their boyfriend.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care providers need to be aware that not all adolescent pregnancies occur as a result of error. Interventions should be developed to help provide the best care for this unique group of pregnant adolescents.
Montgomery
Kristen S
KS
University of Michigan, MI 48038, USA. krismontgomery@hotmail.com
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000523:psychology*; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent