"Save My Baby": The Lived Experience Of Hospitalized Pregnant Women With A Threat Of Preterm Birth

Activity restriction in hospital to prevent preterm birth (PTB) is widely used as the first step of treatment. It is associated with adverse physiological and psychological effects on maternal and fetal health that might persist years after birth. A sample of 10 pregnant women who were hospitalized for being at risk for PTB were purposively recruited to describe their lived experience via semistructured in-depth interview. Five themes were identified, the maternal role establishment and suspending responsibilities, the women's perception of fear of uncertainty and finding support, dissatisfaction of care, the change of routine life and family relationships, and the cultural influence from the participants perspectives. Pregnant women with threat of PTB endure the physical and psychological suffering from being hospitalized to reach their ultimate goal of "having alive and healthy child via safe birth." A nurse's understanding of this experience is essential to provide a competent, compassionate and woman-centered care that can help women to cope and to establish maternal role. The study findings serve as a framework for improving services at health care facilities to be mother friendly to mitigate the negative effect of hospitalization during pregnancy on the women and their child health years after birth.