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Psycho-social Problems faced by the Pregnant Women

Cauvery Research Journal, Volume 2, Issue 1, July 2008 19

PSYCHO- SOCIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY THE PREGNANT WOMEN

V. Mohana Kumari Abstract This study is entitled as psycho- Social problems faced by the pregnant women. The objectives are to study the Socio–demographic background of the respondents, to find out the psycho-social problems faced by the respondents. The research design adopted in this study is descriptive. The universe of the study consists of out patients of pregnant women in Janet Nursing Home, Trichy from December 5th to December15th of 2001.The size of the universe is 200 which the researcher adopted simple random sampling. The sample size was 60. The data for this study is collected on the basis of Interview schedule prepared by the researcher.

Lecturer, Department of Social Work, Cauvery College for Women, Trichy.

Introduction The most important event in a women’s life is her first pregnancy & confinement. In our country many women die of the complications of pregnancy & child birth. Pregnancy produces marked biological, physiological & psychological changes in women. Most women have a positive attitude toward pregnancy and some of them lacked confidence before & after birth. Signs of Conception Retention of seminal fluid after intercourse, sense of heaviness & swelling in the region of womb, nausea, vomiting spasm with shuddering, sadness, lowness of spirits, languid looks & pallor of face, aversion to coitus, slight swelling of skin & neck. Signs of Pregnancy • Suppression of menses is the first sign

of pregnancy. • Dilatation of the body of the uterus. • Certain changes in the development of

womb & foetal movements.

• Increased volume of the abdomen which becomes progressively enlarged from lower part of the abdomen.

• Double pulsations and growth of nipples with increased sensitivity.

Types of pregnancy i) Ectopic pregnancy. Ovarian pregnancy, Abdominal pregnancy, Tubal pregnancy, Interstital pregnancy, Infundibular pregnancy. ii) Multiple pregnancy. iii) Prolonged pregnancy. Social risk factors: Age, Smoking, Alcohol, Drug Abuse. Medical risk factors: Hypertension, Heart disease, Lung disorders, Renal Disease, Epilepsy. Psychological problems: Emotional changes : The increased harmones that enable a women’s body to maintain and support the pregnancy may also result in mood swings, depression and irritablity especially during the first three months.

V. Mohana Kumari


Anxiety: Women also are often anxious about labour and delivery. The effect of a child on their uterus where in some fear of their child being normal or abnormal. Depression : The pregnant women generally complain of multiple somatic symptoms, a generalized feelings of weakness, loss of energy, sexual problems, anxiety, sadness, irritability etc., Social problem: When a young wife becomes pregnant she has to follow the customs of her husband’s family she may not be allowed to attend the ante-natal clinic, nor to follow the advice given by the health worker. In the later part of pregnancy she is usually sent to her mother’s home, and will heave to follow their customs and traditions. Review of Literature: Purandase (1990) carried out his study in Nowlosjct Wadia Maternity Hospital, Bombay. Psychological problems of the pregnant women. His findings revealed that out of 1474 cases 864 pregnant women faced psychological problems in which most of them looked very anxious Elizabeth B. Hurlock (1993) in her book “Developmental Psychology” explains that most of the psychological hazards had traditional beliefs about unfavourable attitude towards the unborn child on the part of people. Psychological hazard associated with the prenatal period creates maternal stress, heightened general emotionally over a prolonged period of time.

Research Methodology Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to analyze the psycho-social problems faced by the pregnant women. Objectives of the study: • To find out the demographic

characteristics of the respondents. • To find out the psychological problem

of pregnant women. • To find out the social problems of

pregnant women. Research Hypothesis • There is a significant association

between the educational level and fear of delivery process.

• There is a significant association between the worries about normality of the baby and anxiety experienced of the respondents.

• There is a significant association between the respect received from the society and number of pregnancy.

• There is a significant association between the gender preference and fear of pregnancy of the respondents.

The researcher adopted descriptive research design. The universe of this study consists of outpatients of pregnant women in Janet Nursing Home,Trichy, from December 5th to December 15th of 2001.The researcher adopted Simple Random Sampling . The sample size was 60. The researcher used interview schedule to collect the data. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by using chi-square test.



Socio- Demographic characteristics of the Respondents:

S. No.

Socio- demographiccharacteristics

No. of Respondents Percentage

1 Age 20-23 24-27 28-31

22 29 9

37 48 15

Total 60 100 2 Religion

Hindu Christian Muslim

35 15 10

58 25 17

Total 60 100 3 Husband’s Occupation

Agriculture Professional work Unemployed Others

21 17 4 18

35 28 7 30

Total 60 100 4 Native Background

Urban Rural

43 17

72 28

Total 60 100 5 Family Size

2-4 4-6 above 6

28 23 9

47 38 15

Total 60 100 Regarding the age of the respondents, majority of 48 percent of the respondents belonged to the age group of 24-27 years. Regarding the religion of the respondents, majority of 58 percent of the respondents were Hindus. Regarding the occupation of the respondent’s husband. Majority of 35 percent of the respondent’s husband most of them were agriculturists.

Regarding the native background of the respondents, majority of 72 percent of the respondents were from urban area. Regarding the family size of the respondents majority 47 percent of the respondents family size was (2-4 members).

V. Mohana Kumari


Chi-square test showing association between the educational level and fear of

delivery process.

S. No Education Fear ofdelivery

Chi-square value

Inference Yes No

1

2

3

Higher Secondary UG PG

9

23

9

3 7 9

4.00513

Dt =2=5.99 Not significant

The above table indicates that education level has no influence on the fear of delivery process. Chi-square test showing association between worries about Normality of the Baby Anxiety experienced of the respondents.

S .No Worries about

Normality of the Baby

Anxiety experiencedChi-square

value Inference Yes

No

1

2

Yes

No

19

20

13

8 0.95369

Df=1=3.241 Not

significant The above table indicates that worries about normality of the baby has no influence on anxiety experienced

Chi-square test showing association between the Gender preference and fear of pregnancy

S.No Gender preference Fear of delivery Chi-square

value Inference

Yes No1

2

Yes

No

18

20

2

20 33.7

Df=1=3.841 Not

significant The above table indicates that fear of pregnancy has some influence on gender preference. Major Findings: Findings related to Socio- demographic characteristics: • Majority (48%) of the respondents

belonged to the age group of • 24-27 years.

• More than half (58%) of the respondents were Hindus.

• Vast majority (72%) of the respondents were living in urban

• Less than half (35%) of the respondents were agriculturists.



• Less than half(45%) of the respondents family income was below Rs. 5000.

General Findings: • More than half (60%) of the

respondents were having the strength to bear this pregnancy.

• Majority (63%) of the respondents had

no negative impact towards this pregnancy.

• More than half (67%) of the

respondents had tensions. Findings related to psychological and Social condition: • Majority (62%) of the respondents

husband had no liking for their wives to be pregnant.

• More than half (52%) of the respondents husbands preferred for male child.

• Majority (57%) of the respondents elder children accepted this pregnancy.

• More than half (52%) of the respondents did not receive respect from the society.

• More than half (57%) of the respondents had received medical facilities.

Suggestions: • Irrational fears about labour should be

erased in the minds of young women. This helps them to give normal baby.

• Consanguineous marriage may have some congenital deformities and such marriages should be avoided.

• A newly married couple need guidance in knowing how to plan their family. A medical checkup is often advised.

• Medicines must not be taken as they could harm the foetus.

• Care of the baby including breast feeding

• Education is important for young couple to decide to plan the family.

• To avoid sexual intercourse after 8 months.

Reference: 1. A.M. Chalkley (1990) A Text book for

the health workers, Wiley Eastern Ltd. 2. B. Hurlock Elizabeth, (1993)

Developmental Psychology, Tata MC Graw Hill publishing company Ltd.

3. W. Jones (1991) Text Book of Gynaecology, Saunders Company Ltd.

4. V.G. Padubidri, shaw’s (1987) Text book of gynaecology, Anmol publication pvt, Ltd. New Delhi.

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