Meanings of being pregnant and having decided on abortion: young Swedish women's experiences.
In-depth interviews about the experience of being pregnant and having decided on abortion were conducted with 10 young Swedish women. A phenomenological-hermeneutic study disclosed a complex life world summarised as "I'm happy about my fertility but I choose not to give life now." Four themes were revealed: encountering an unexpected understanding of oneself and one's fertility, desiring to be understood by trusted others, trying out different positions in relation to pregnancy and abortion, and approaching planned adult motherhood. The results indicate that addressing young women's concerns about fertility might be important in reproductive care.
Halldén
Britt-Marie
BM
School of Health Sciences, University College of Borås, Sweden. britt-marie.hallden@hb.se
Christensson
Kyllike
K
Olsson
Pia
P
D000029:Abortion, Legal / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D033262:Narration; D011247:Pregnancy; D011275:Pregnancy, Unwanted / Q000523:psychology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden