Negation in the Childbearing Continuum: A Narrative Study of Women's Expereinces

Negated childbearing is difficult to define, and can include both conscious concealment, and conscious and unconscious denial of pregnancy, labour, birth and also the postnatal period and beyond. The phenomenon of secret and hidden pregnancy and birth has a historical background, but is also present in modern day society and communities. With no agreement on prevalence and socio-demographic factors, it is an event that although poorly understood, can provoke strong reactions and commentary from within and outside of maternity services. The individual voices and stories of women who have been through negated childbearing are largely unexplored and unheard. A narrative approach seeks to provide an in-depth exploration of hidden childbearing as a storied experience, and increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of this little known subject area. A sample of women has been recruited using data collection methods of unstructured interviews, and a Secret Facebook group. Data will be analysed using Crossley’s six step approach, incorporating Chases’s five lenses model, and a narrative method. Early results show new and unique data, to inform and update midwifery and maternity awareness, knowledge and practice.