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Using qualitative data to contrast the socio‐ecological conditions of low‐income pregnant and postpartum women
Author(s) -
Graham Meredith,
Olson Christine M,
Paul Keriann,
Niederdeppe Jeff
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.232.6
Subject(s) - pregnancy , focus group , disadvantage , qualitative research , postpartum period , medicine , low income , qualitative property , psychology , developmental psychology , family medicine , socioeconomics , sociology , political science , anthropology , law , biology , social science , genetics , machine learning , computer science
The socio‐ecological factors that affect the health of women of childbearing age are fairly well known, but the degree to which those factors become more debilitating after delivery is not well described. This qualitative study compares the challenges faced by low‐income women during pregnancy and postpartum. We conducted 5 pregnancy focus groups (n=15), 5 postpartum focus groups (n=23) and 7 interviews with WIC eligible women. All focus groups and interviews were recorded and detailed notes were taken. The constant comparative method was used to code notes and identify emergent themes. All of the women faced many challenges that affected their attitudes, beliefs and ability to maintain or improve healthy behaviors. Challenges included unemployment, relationship issues, minimal social support, lack of education, healthcare access, medical conditions and neighborhood disadvantage. Compared to pregnant women, postpartum women faced additional difficulties, such as child illnesses, custody issues and homelessness. While some women reported similar difficulties during pregnancy; the severity of those challenges was felt more deeply among postpartum women. A multitude of factors make women's lives increasingly difficult in the postpartum period, including challenges that are present prior to delivery, those present prior to but worse after delivery, and some new challenges that begin after delivery.