"BEING BY MYSELF AND BELIEVING IN US" - THE EXPERIENCE OF PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH DURING AN INTIMATE PARTNER'S MILITARY DEPLOYMENT

Abstract

For Canadian military families (CMFs), pregnancy and childbirth can occur in tandem with a military deployment. The central issue is that a military deployment of an intimate partner introduces unique stressors that can challenge pregnancy, increasing the risk of prenatal anxiety, preterm delivery, and postpartum depression. The objective of this study is to extend current understanding of how pregnancy and childbirth are experienced during an intimate partner’s deployment and how supports and resources shape the experience. This study was conducted in Eastern Canada by interviewing women in CMFs. A descriptive phenomenological approach allowed for stories to be explored and for an over-arching theme, “being by myself and believing in us,” to be uncovered. The implications of this study include laying a foundation for future research and refocusing perinatal care to consider how timeliness, togetherness, technology, and support empower women in “believing in us” or remind women of being alone.