Prenatal Experiences of Young and Old Primigra in the Select Rural Health Units in Bataan / Samson, April Nina C.

The study is about prenatal experiences of young and old primigravida in the select Rural Health Unit (RHU) in Bataan. It aimed to discover the life journey of the participants and the coping mechanisms used. The phenomenological approach through purposive sampling was employed. The themes uncovered were based on Colaizzi's method of data analysis. Individual characteristics were age, civil status, occupation and level of education. The themes revealed under physical category was the Awareness of bodily changes, emotional themes were Fear of breaking the news to parents about being pregnant, Fear and embarrassment from judgmental reaction of others, Anxiety and denial of the situation. Psychosocial themes were Development of support system, Adequacy/inadequacy of financial support, Limited social activities with significant others, Harmonious relationship with health care providers and Adequacy of emotional support. Themes for the challenges experienced were Effect of pregnancy and Adjustment of body to pregnancy. The coping strategies themes were Adhering to health and medical advices and Choice of health care information. Themes on the revealed lessons were Ideal age, Change of independence and responsibility, Health and medical aspect and importance of education. The assumptions that there were different experiences of young and old primigravida were revealed. In the light of the revealed findings and based on conclusion drawn, the researcher came up with the following proposals: health programs should also encapsulate the high vi risk group of pregnant women who are vulnerable to have maternal complications and worst death, to the local government, additional health manpower at Rural Health Unit (RHU) to address needs of high-risk pregnant population, strengthen and fully implement reproductive health and sex education and responsible adulthood to underpin development of producing women holistically ready to face pregnancy, the Nursing Program to incorporate the cultural competency of the students and teaching staff to address needs of high risk women and lastly, further research is suggested to be done to consider other primigravida in the community who have preconceived notion with the type of services offered at government health agencies. Moreover, additional studies are suggested to explore prenatal experiences of teenage primigravida under 15 years old to assess the type of health care support, educational materials, and health programs suitable for them on how they can handle pregnancy to effectively prevent maternal and fetal complications.