title: "They ask whether this is real or fake": a qualitative norwegian study of pregnancy complaints and access to social benefits.
abstract: Women increasingly combine paid work and childbearing, but working full time throughout pregnancy is commonly experienced as overtaxing. We explored access to sick leave or medical care as experienced by Norwegian women suffering from pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. Through a grounded theory approach we compared results from qualitative interviews and open Internet discussions, and found that women struggled with credibility and that their claims for sick leave or medical care were commonly disregarded. Support from peers was seen as instrumental in regaining control over their health and was a vehicle in developing critical health literacy.
authors.affiliation: a Medical Faculty , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Eva Haukeland
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Fredriksen
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Karen Marie
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Moland
authors.forename: Johanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sundby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D017699:Pelvic Pain; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D037841:Pregnant People; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors