Azari women’s experiences and perceptions of encountering unplanned pregnancy
A qualitative study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22427798 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Masoumeh Paiandeh (Tabriz University of Medical Sciences), Roghaiyeh Nourizadeh (0000-0002-7808-7906), Esmat Mehrabi (0000-0002-9482-6684, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences), Mojgan Mirghafourvand (0000-0001-8360-4309, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences), Easa Mohammadi (Tarbiat Modares University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-24 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Reproductive Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1742-4755 • E-ISSN: 1742-4755 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1186/s12978-026-02334-9 |
| PMID | 42032738 |
| OpenAlex | W7155494844 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 32 |
A comprehensive understanding of women’s lived experiences and perceived needs during unplanned pregnancy in abortion-restricted settings is essential for designing effective, context-sensitive interventions. This study aimed to explore Iranian Azari women’s experiences and perceptions of encountering an unplanned pregnancy. This qualitative study employed a conventional content analysis approach. Purposive sampling was conducted from May to November 2024, in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews with 13 pregnant women (gestational age 16–39 weeks) experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Data collection and analysis were conducted concurrently using the Graneheim and Lundman (2004) content analysis method. The analysis revealed four main themes reflecting the participants’ experiences. The first theme, Encountering and Adapting to Unplanned Pregnancy, included initial shock, disbelief, resistance to acceptance, and gradual adaptation to the new condition. The second theme, Perceived Threats, encompassed intense personal, familial, and social concerns regarding the unplanned pregnancy. The third theme, Facilitators of Continuation Decision, reflected the influence of factors such as time passage, religious beliefs, hearing the fetal heartbeat, and social support in fostering pregnancy acceptance and reducing the desire for abortion. The final theme, Inadequacy of Healthcare and Support Systems, highlighted women’s feelings of isolation, being misunderstood, and dissatisfaction due to lack of adequate support from their families, healthcare systems, and social institutions, which exacerbated their emotional distress. The findings suggest that women with unplanned pregnancies experience a range of emotional responses and initial resistance rooted in perceived personal, familial, and societal threats. In the context of legal and religious restrictions on abortion, many women feel compelled or choose to continue the pregnancy. In this process, perceived spousal and social support, along with adequacy and quality of antenatal care, plays a crucial role in shaping their experience. Not applicable. Unplanned pregnancy refers to pregnancies that are either unwanted at the time of conception or mistimed, meaning the woman intended to become pregnant later. This study explored how Iranian Azari women experience and make sense of unplanned pregnancies, with the goal of identifying their challenges and unmet needs. A total of 13 women with unplanned pregnancies were purposefully selected with maximum variation. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews guided by open-ended questions. The findings revealed four main themes: (1) emotional responses and adaptation to unplanned pregnancy, (2) perceived threats and concerns, (3) factors that facilitated the decision to continue the pregnancy, and (4) inadequacy of healthcare services and social support. By understanding these experiences, more responsive and supportive interventions can be designed to improve experiences and outcomes for women facing unplanned pregnancies.
Content analysis · Feeling · Nonprobability sampling · Perception · Qualitative research · Social support · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Reproductive Health and Contraception · Reproductive System and Pregnancy · Reproductive Medicine
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| Highly cited | No |
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