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Acceptance of Pregnancy

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Psychosocial Adaptation to Pregnancy

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Abstract

Acceptance of pregnancy includes intentions for pregnancy, desire for pregnancy, planned/unplanned pregnancy, timed/untimed pregnancy, and wanted/unwanted pregnancy. Factors associated with acceptance of pregnancy are explored: whether the pregnancy was planned and wanted, whether the gravida was happy versus depressed about being pregnant, the degree of discomforts experienced and how they were managed, reactions to bodily changes, and ambivalence near term. Correlates of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies include delays in obtaining prenatal care, poor maternal mental health during and after pregnancy, poor maternal–fetal attachment, poor relationship satisfaction, poor social support from one’s partner and family, poor mother–child relationship quality, and children with reduced mental and physical health as well as difficulties in school. Financial stability as a factor in acceptance of pregnancy is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas, Galveston, TX, USA

    Regina P. Lederman

  2. University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Karen L. Weis

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  1. Regina P. Lederman
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  2. Karen L. Weis
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Lederman, R.P., Weis, K.L. (2020). Acceptance of Pregnancy. In: Psychosocial Adaptation to Pregnancy . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45738-9_2

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