Ambivalence, outcome of childbearing decision making among women
Advances in Nursing & Midwifery,
Vol. 24 No. 86 (2015),
9 October 2015
,
Page 65-76
https://doi.org/10.22037/anm.v24i86.8461
Abstract
Background and objectives: Currently childbearing is recognized as an experience with contradictory
feelings for women. Knowing the decision making process of childbearing is an important aspect of
reproductive health. This study aimed to explain the experiences of ambivalence after making decision for
childbearing in Iranian women.
Materials and methods: This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis approach
with 32 married women from Tehran who were pregnant for the first time or were using contraceptive
methods. Purposeful sampling was used and continued until data saturation. In-depth unstructured interviews
were used to collect the data. Analysis of the data occurred simultaneously with data collection using content
analysis based on Graneheim and Lundman method in MAXQDA 2007 software.
Findings: The analysis of the data led to extraction of 3 themes of certainty and satisfaction versus
uncertainty and indecision, decision making in silence, and bargaining. Women feel ambivalent after making
decision for childbearing because of the manner they make the decision, persistence of uncertainties and
worries along with satisfaction and peace.
Conclusion: Ambivalence in childbearing decision making is a prevalent and challenging phenomenon, and
is potentially important for realizing pregnancy behavior and providing appropriate interventions in preconception
consultations.
Keywords: decision making, childbearing, ambivalence, qualitative study
- decision making
- childbearing
- ambivalence
- qualitative study
How to Cite
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