Heelan-Fancher, Lisa <br/><br/>
Nulliparous women expectations and experiences of early labor / 
Lisa Heelan-Fancher, Tiffany Moore Simas, Julianne Mazzawi, Tina Dumont, and Joyce Edmonds 
 - Vol 49 (1) pages 22-28 :  illustrations ;  26 cm 
<br/><br/> Abstract<br/><br/>Purpose: To describe the expectations of early labor by nulliparous pregnant women in their third trimester and first-time mothers' experiences of early labor after they had given birth. <br/><br/>Study Design and Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach involving semi-structured, video-call interviews conducted between September 2020 and April 2021. Data were analyzed using content analysis. <br/><br/>Results: Twenty-two women took part in this study. Only 3 of the 10 nulliparous pregnant participants reported pain as an expected symptom of early labor. There were two themes identified from interviews with pregnant participants: Desire to stay at home in early labor and Lack of knowledge and two themes from interviews from postpartum participants: Expectations didn't match experiences and Feelings of anxiety and uncertainty during early labor. <br/><br/>Clinical Implications: Nulliparous women lack knowledge of and skills to effectively cope with pain during early labor while at home. There is a need for an innovative labor support program for childbearing women to remain safely at home in early labor.<br/> 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Birth<br/>Cesarean section<br/>Early labor <br/>Labor<br/>Nulliparity<br/>Obstetric<br/>Pregnancy