Perceptions and Experiences of Spiritual Well-Being among Women with High-risk Pregnancy

Abstract

Background & aim: Spirituality is among prominent strategies to minimize negative emotions in different circumstances. Clarifying the concept of spiritual well-being in high-risk pregnancies enables healthcare providers to address and support their patients' spiritual needs. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of spiritual well-being among women with high-risk pregnancy.Methods: This qualitative content analysis was conducted from December 2017 to March 2019 in public and private hospitals and health centers in Mashhad, Iran. The participants included 26 women with high-risk pregnancy, who selected using a purposive sampling. Data was collected through semi-structured and face-to-face individual interviews using the interview guide. The data analysis was carried out concurrently with the data collection, using the conventional content analysis based on the Graneheim and Lundman's method. Results: Following data analysis, "Spiritual well-being in high-risk pregnancies” was characterized by two main categories including “Meaning-seeking and belief in purposeful pregnancy” and" Relying on spirituality in achieving health."Conclusion: Searching for meaning and purposefulness in pregnancy and relying on spirituality to achieve health are among the components of spiritual well-being in high-risk pregnancy; hence, understanding women’s spiritual well-being could help tailoring strategies to reduce their tensions and discomforts caused by high-risk pregnancy. Thus, it is highly recommended that women with high-risk pregnancy receive spiritual care as part of their comprehensive care.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• high-risk
• well-being
• spiritual
• qualitative content analysis