ABSTRACT
Study Objective
To explore minority, adolescent birth and perinatal experiences to inform and improve
quality of care for this unique group.
Design
Mixed quantitative and qualitative study guided by Bourdieu's Social Fields framework.
Setting
Clinic dedicated to parenting adolescents, and a local charter school founded to serve
pregnant and parenting young adults.
Participants
Sample size for quantitative data: n = 27; qualitative data: n = 14. Average age was
16.39 years (SD = 1.29); most self-identified as Latina/Hispanic or African American/Black/Afro-Caribbean/African.
Interventions and Main Outcome Measures
We used 2 validated surveys: Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R), and the Postpartum
Worry Scale-Revised (PWS-R). The BSS-R has 10 items, and quantifies labor and delivery
experiences. The PWS-R has 20 items, and quantifies maternal, infant, and social-emotional
worries. The qualitative, semistructured 30-minute interviews with a subset of survey
respondents further explored perinatal mental health, labor experiences, and support
networks.
Results
BSS-R data resulted in an average score of 25.14 (SD = 5.35), which correlated to
moderate satisfaction with birth experience (range, 0-40 with 0 = most negative).
The PWS-R average score of 55.79 (SD = 21.06) indicated elevated postpartum worry
(range, 20-100 with 20 = most worry). Qualitative interviewees worried about relationships
and newborn well-being; support networks fluctuated; distinct events, pain, and fear
during labor dominated birth stories. Advice for peers included: tending to social
support, stress, and self-care. Nonjudgmental communication, empathy, and emotional
connection were desired attributes of their health care team. Participants had anxiety
related to social networks and newborn care. Although birth experiences were moderately
positive, they were also described as stressful. However, participants were resourceful,
insightful, and took advantage of social supports.
Conclusion
Birth experiences, patterns of stress, and support networks are uniquely identified
and utilized by adolescent mothers. Being heard and feeling connected to providers
empowered this group of young, minority adolescents. Participant advice could inform
future educational courses, programs, and hospital innovations for perinatal adolescents.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 20, 2021
Accepted:
April 25,
2021
Received in revised form:
April 16,
2021
Received:
November 17,
2020
Footnotes
The authors indicate no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
