Sin and Suffering: Pregnant Women’s Justifications for Deciding on Pregnancy Termination Due to Beta‑Thalassemia Major in Southeast of Iran
Document Type : Original Article
10.4103/nms.nms_57_17
Abstract
Background: Religious restrictions and moral grounds, such as fear over
committing a sin, are the major causes of opposing therapeutic abortions.
Objectives: This study aimed to describe pregnant women’s justifications for
deciding on pregnancy termination due to beta thalassemia major (β‑TM) in
the sociocultural context of Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran. Methods: In
this qualitative study, in‑depth semi‑structured interviews were conducted with
27 pregnant women and their husbands. Purposive sampling was used to recruit
pregnant women who were able to speak and understand Persian, had no known
mental illnesses or psychiatric problems and had fetuses with β‑TM. Data were
analyzed using narrative thematic analysis. Results: At the time of receiving,
the results of chorionic villus sampling for β‑TM screening, the age and the
gestational age ranges of the participants were 19–42 years and 11–18 weeks,
respectively. Women’s justifications for deciding on pregnancy termination due to
β‑TM were explained in three main themes, namely, child’s physical suffering,
negative psychological consequences, and attempting to be good parents.
Conclusion: Providing families with information about the long‑term effects of
β‑TM on the child and family members can help them make informed decisions
on pregnancy continuation or termination
(2019). Sin and Suffering: Pregnant Women’s Justifications for Deciding on Pregnancy Termination Due to Beta‑Thalassemia Major in Southeast of Iran. Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 8(2), 91-96. doi: 10.4103/nms.nms_57_17
MLA
. "Sin and Suffering: Pregnant Women’s Justifications for Deciding on Pregnancy Termination Due to Beta‑Thalassemia Major in Southeast of Iran". Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 8, 2, 2019, 91-96. doi: 10.4103/nms.nms_57_17
HARVARD
(2019). 'Sin and Suffering: Pregnant Women’s Justifications for Deciding on Pregnancy Termination Due to Beta‑Thalassemia Major in Southeast of Iran', Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 8(2), pp. 91-96. doi: 10.4103/nms.nms_57_17
VANCOUVER
Sin and Suffering: Pregnant Women’s Justifications for Deciding on Pregnancy Termination Due to Beta‑Thalassemia Major in Southeast of Iran. Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 2019; 8(2): 91-96. doi: 10.4103/nms.nms_57_17