Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Jeanna Jacobsen

Abstract

AbstractPrenatal care is fundamental in the lives of expectant mothers. Studies have highlighted the prenatal care experiences of mothers ranging from adolescents to older women, which included the experiences of emerging adults. However, emerging adults bring particular social, emotional, and developmental concerns to pregnancy experiences that are distinct from those of their counterparts. This study explored these experiences to answer the question of what are emerging adults’ lived prenatal care experiences are as first-time mothers. Interpretive phenomenology and assumptions from critical race, feminist, communication, and intersectionality theories helped frame the study. Through purposive and snowball sampling, nine participants were selected to represent18- to 22-year-old first-time mothers who were in their third trimester or had a child up to 2 years of age and lived in the greater Chicago, Illinois area. Data from audio-recorded semi structured interviews were subjected to interpretive phenomenological analysis. Two significant themes, (a) prenatal care/pregnancy knowledge and (b) provider/participant interactions, and one subtheme, (c) effective communication, helped in uncovering the essence of prenatal care experiences for this population. Findings revealed that emerging adults as first-time mothers expect to be educated and informed throughout the prenatal care process and prefer to interact with respectful, supportive, and caring providers in settings void of discriminatory behaviors. Additionally, mutually respectful exchange of information is essential for effective communication for this group. These findings add to the body of knowledge that may equip social workers and providers to build supportive and nurturing environments and recognize this population’s strengths and challenges during prenatal care experiences.

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