BACKGROUNDIn antenatal care, health checkups, information, and support is provided to women. Midwifery continuity models of care provide women access to evidence-based care.OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to evaluate women's experiences of pregnancy and antenatal care in a continuity of midwifery care project, as well as to gauge the impact the project had on the women's emotional well-being and satisfaction.METHODThis was a cohort study of 226 women enrolled in a continuity of care project in rural Sweden. Profiles of the women were created based on levels of depressive symptoms, worries, fear of birth, and sense of coherence. Data was collected through questionnaires. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated between the clusters for the explanatory variables.RESULTWomen in the two clusters differed in some background characteristics. Women in Cluster 2 had more visits to a doctor. They also received more counseling due to fear of birth and viewed the number of midwives as “too many.” They were less satisfied with the medical, emotional, and overall aspects of their antenatal care. Perceived health, preparedness for birth, and parenthood were rated lower by women in Cluster 2.CONCLUSIONThis study found that women's assessment of their antenatal care was associated with their emotional health. Negative feelings toward changes in pregnancy were often found in women with poorer emotional health, and these women reported being less prepared for birth and parenthood. Thus, it is important to identify women with emotional distress and to provide them additional support and continuity.
“She made up a choice for me”: 22 HIV-positive women’s experiences of involuntary sterilization in two South African provinces