Body perception in pregnant women: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Dramatic body changes in pregnancy cause severe concerns among pregnant women about their appearance. Therefore, this study aimed to explore body perception in pregnant women.

Materials and methods

The qualitative study, using the conventional content analysis approach, was conducted on Iranian pregnant women who were in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling method. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were held with 18 pregnant women aged 22 to 36 years, using open-ended questions. Sampling was performed until data saturation was reached.

Results

Three main categories were extracted from 18 interviews: (1) "symbols," with two subcategories, including 'motherhood' and 'vulnerability,' (2) "fe

SUBMITTER: Sohrabi Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10007813 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature