TABLE 3.
Positive Pregnancy Effects: Examples of Responses
| Primigravid Mothers (n = 50) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subcategories | Responses (%)* | Examples |
| Role transition | 40 | “I can't wait to become a mother.” |
| “I look forward to preparing for and caring for my baby.” | ||
| Social support | 30 | “Family are looking forward to caring for the baby.” |
| “Family helped with preparation for the baby.” | ||
| Fetal attachment | 20 | “It was exciting the first time the baby moved.” |
| “I enjoy how I can feel the baby move.” | ||
| Marital relationship | 10 | “I am happy to share this pregnancy with my husband.” |
| “We are so much closer as a couple.” | ||
| Multigravid Mothers (n = 50) | ||
| Subcategories | Responses (%) | Examples |
| Role transition | 30 | “I feel much less stress since I quit my job.” |
| “I can be home to take care of my son and the new baby.” | ||
| Social support | 37 | “I love the extra attention.” |
| “My family is so excited about a new baby in the family.” | ||
| Fetal attachment | 21 | “I enjoy wondering about this new baby's personality.” |
| “I feel reassured when I feel the baby move.” | ||
| Marital relationship | 12 | “He does special things for me.” |
| “He spent time with me practicing breathing.” | ||
*
Indicates the percentage of the women in each group who replied to the open-ended questions with a response conceptually matching this category (Morse & Field, 1995).