Research: Dynamic pregnancy intentions

Claudia Geist, the lead author of the study and associate professor and associate dean of the School of Cultural and Social Transformation at the University of Utah, said: “When we think about whether people will become pregnant or when they will become pregnant, people usually Will assume that there is a grand life plan

Although some studies have identified potential factors that influence pregnancy decisions, few studies have evaluated how these decisions may change over time and which personal circumstances are related to such changes

Researchers followed a group of people participating in the HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Program, a prospective study that recruited participants from four family planning clinics in Salt Lake County, Utah between September 2015 and March 2017

The analysis included 2,825 participants who provided pregnancy intention data at the time of enrollment and during the 12-month follow-up

1. "I am currently trying to get pregnant" (only available during the 12-month follow-up)

2. "I want to get pregnant next year

   
   

3. "I want to get pregnant in the next 2-5 years, but not next year

   
   

4. "I want to get pregnant in the next 5-10 years, but not before that"

5. "I'm not sure if or when I want to get pregnant" (only provided at registration)

6. I don't plan to get pregnant anytime in the future

7. "other"

During the 12-month follow-up, the majority (79%) of participants maintained their pregnancy schedule, while less than 20% of participants reported changes

Geist said: "I am looking forward to changes, but I am not looking forward to the big changes

In addition to economic stability, the researchers also considered emotional status, gender identity, educational status, and aspirations

Geist said: "The rapid changes we have found in the past 12 months are a stark reminder that health care providers need to check their patients' desires for pregnancy frequently

Journal Reference :

1. C.

   
   

University of Utah.

University of Utah.

University of Utah.
"Dynamic pregnancy intentions: Study shows 12-month changes in pregnancy timing intentions using data from HER Salt Lake.
" ScienceDaily.
(accessed September 30, 2021 ).