Late-term pregnancy: Navigating in unknown waters - A hermeneutic study

Late-term pregnancy is related to increased risk of serious complications for babies and women, as pregnancies proceed. Pregnancy is an individual, complex and existential situation for women, who may experience late-term pregnancy as a mentally strenuous period, characterised by worries and anxiety. However, there is a lack of studies in this area.

To describe women's experiences of late-term pregnancy ≥41 gestational weeks.

A lifeworld hermeneutic approach was used. Qualitative interviews were performed with ten women, two to seven months after the birth.

Six themes emerged from the analysis Doubting the body's ability to cope with the transition from pregnancy to giving birth, The importance of their partner's support during the sea voyage, Lacking clear guidelines for the voyage, Worrying about the cargo at the end of the voyage, How the voyage turned out and Thoughts related to a future voyage.

The women did not feel sufficiently empowered to trust their body's ability to make the transition from late pregnancy to birth. It is vital that midwives provide clear guidance and empower women to trust the ability of their body to give birth. This transition is important in relation to positive thoughts about future pregnancies and births.