Ambivalence during early pregnancy among expectant mothers

Ambivalence during the early stages of pregnancy is a known phenomenon, among expectant mothers as well as among applicants for abortion. The conflict of wanting or not wanting to have a child must be solved in the decision-making process that precedes the choice of whether to interrupt a pregnancy or carry it to full term. The time limit for this decision making process is reduced by the medical abortion methods now available. Hasty early abortions as well as delayed abortions create problems and should be avoided. The present Swedish study, based on 123 semistructured interviews conducted among expectant mothers, focuses on this ambivalence during early pregnancy. Fifty-five percent of the interviewees reported that the current pregnancy was planned, 14% had become pregnant in spite of using contraceptives. Fifteen percent had considered an abortion during the current pregnancy. Ten in-depth interviews revealed how women contemplating abortion dealt with their ambivalence and finally decided to continue the pregnancy. The study shows that no one but the pregnant woman herself can arrive at the informed analysis necessary for a well-considered decision about the future of her pregnancy. However, all pregnant women should be offered the opportunity to talk about their situation, their thoughts and feelings to a neutral listener, in order to make that decision.