It's Not Planned, But Is It Okay? The Acceptability of Unplanned Pregnancy Among Young People

Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health
Anu Manchikanti GomezElodia Villaseñor

Abstract

It is well-established that current measures of pregnancy intentions fail to capture the complexity of couples' lived experiences and decisions regarding reproductive decision making. Despite limitations, these measures guide programs, policy, and clinical practice. Herein, we explore prospective pregnancy acceptability, which captures whether individuals anticipate considering an unexpected pregnancy welcomed, manageable, or okay. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 young (ages 18-24 years) women and their male partners (N = 100) to elucidate prospective pregnancy desires and perspectives on pregnancy planning. Using a thematic approach, we analyzed data from a subsample (n = 88) of participants who did not currently desire a pregnancy. Despite lack of pregnancy desire, 37 participants indicated that a pregnancy would be acceptable. Several themes emerged as reasons for pregnancy acceptability, including feeling prepared for children, relational stability, having knowledge of what it takes to parent, and taking a "whatever happens" approach toward pregnancy planning. Notably, a number of reasons for pregnancy acceptability were also described as reasons for lack of acceptability. For example, although many...Continue Reading

References

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Citations

Feb 15, 2019·Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·Anu Manchikanti GómezBridget Freihart
Jun 23, 2019·Maternal and Child Health Journal·Ashley Larsen Gibby, Nancy Luke
Aug 7, 2019·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Natalie D HernandezStephanie Grilo
May 7, 2020·Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health·Stephanie ArteagaAnu Manchikanti Gómez
Jul 3, 2020·Maternal and Child Health Journal·Katharine BruceLyn Kieltyka
Mar 27, 2020·Social Work in Health Care·Emma CarpenterJenny A Higgins
May 21, 2020·The Linacre Quarterly·Luis AyerbeEduardo Burgueño
Nov 16, 2020·Contraception·Brenly B RowlandLauren J Ralph
Jul 22, 2020·The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·Ushma D UpadhyayShari L Dworkin
Dec 29, 2020·Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology·Nancy F BerglasM Antonia Biggs
Jan 30, 2021·Archives of Sexual Behavior·Anu Manchikanti GomezBridget Freihart
Feb 5, 2021·Women's Health Issues : Official Publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women's Health·Nancy F BerglasM Antonia Biggs
Feb 18, 2021·The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care : the Official Journal of the European Society of Contraception·Cornelia HelfferichFranziska Schmidt
Feb 1, 2020·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Karen Benjamin Guzzo, Sarah R Hayford
Jun 15, 2021·Journal of Marriage and the Family·Bethany G EverettLisa M Diamond
Jul 21, 2021·Health Care for Women International·Oktay SarıAlper İleri
Aug 7, 2021·Disability and Health Journal·Carly O'Connor-Terry, John Harris

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