Living with uncertainty: a Swedish qualitative interview study of women at home on sick leave due to premature labour.

OBJECTIVE

to highlight the experiences of pregnant women, experiencing preterm labour, being on sick leave at home and how they handled their daily life.

DESIGN

qualitative, descriptive using open interviews.

SETTING

10 antenatal clinics in the south of Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

15 pregnant women who were on sick leave for premature labour.

FINDINGS

four categories were identified: how to interpret unpredictable contractions in the uterus? Having concern regarding premature labour of their child, handling the new situation and finding a balance, and from work to sick leave.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

to be on sick leave for premature contractions can be compared with enduring a situation of inactivity. The woman finds herself in a stressful situation which she must learn to handle this and find a balance.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

it appears that supportive information offers the women in premature labour the opportunity of increased participation and responsibility which thereby positively affects her well-being.