Health Management of Working Pregnant Nurses: A grounded theory study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Maternal Health
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Pregnant nurses face unique challenges balancing work responsibilities with physiological changes.
• Understanding their lived experiences is crucial for developing supportive workplace strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how pregnant nurses perceive and manage their health conditions.
• To identify safe working strategies employed by pregnant nurses.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing a grounded theory approach.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with 21 pregnant nurses.
• Constant comparative method used for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Pregnant nurses experience 'duelling roles,' striving to fulfill professional duties despite health concerns.
• They develop an awareness of their limits to protect their health and patient safety.
• A 'prioritizing the foetus' working style emerges, enabling continued employment while safeguarding health.

Conclusions:

• Findings offer guidance for safe job retention strategies for pregnant nurses.
• Promoting a 'prioritizing the foetus' mindset can enhance health management.
• The study encourages nursing managers to review practices and support pregnant nurses' experiences.