Fertility protection needs, experiences, and decision-making of women with unintended pregnancies: a qualitative study
- 1Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People’s Hospital of Nantong)
- 2Nantong University
- 3Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University
Abstract
Unintended pregnancies pose significant challenges to women’s reproductive health and future fertility. This qualitative study explores the fertility protection needs and experiences of women with unintended pregnancies, aiming to inform targeted interventions and support systems. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 women diagnosed with unintended pregnancies at three tertiary hospitals in Nantong, China. Data were collected from December 2024 to February 2025. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on Colaizzi’s phenomenological framework. Five main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Cognitive Awakening and Resource Dilemmas: The Expectation‑Reality Gap, (2) Emotional Isolation and Psychological Support: An Urgent Need, (3) Information Gaps and Educational Deficits: Barriers to Knowledge, (4) Social Expectations and Family Pressures: Structural Conflicts, and (5) Future Concerns and Present Pressures: Temporal–Spatial Tension. Women with unintended pregnancies face significant challenges in fertility protection, including limited knowledge, unmet psychological support needs, and inadequate information. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive interventions that integrate psychological, educational, and social support systems to improve women’s reproductive health. Future research should focus on developing tailored interventions and policies to support women in protecting their fertility and navigating the complexities of unintended pregnancies.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026fertility,
title = {{Fertility protection needs, experiences, and decision-making of women with unintended pregnancies: a qualitative study}},
author = {Yanchi Wang and Qiuhua Cai and Xujuan Xu and Jian Gu},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62724-8},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62724-8},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fertility protection needs, experiences, and decision-making of women with unintended pregnancies: a qualitative study
AU - Yanchi Wang
AU - Qiuhua Cai
AU - Xujuan Xu
AU - Jian Gu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Scientific Reports
DO - 10.1038/s41598-026-62724-8
UR - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-62724-8
AB - Unintended pregnancies pose significant challenges to women’s reproductive health and future fertility. This qualitative study explores the fertility protection needs and experiences of women with unintended pregnancies, aiming to inform targeted interventions and support systems. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 women diagnosed with unintended pregnancies at three tertiary hospitals in Nantong, China. Data were collected from December 2024 to February 2025. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on Colaizzi’s phenomenological framework. Five main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Cognitive Awakening and Resource Dilemmas: The Expectation‑Reality Gap, (2) Emotional Isolation and Psychological Support: An Urgent Need, (3) Information Gaps and Educational Deficits: Barriers to Knowledge, (4) Social Expectations and Family Pressures: Structural Conflicts, and (5) Future Concerns and Present Pressures: Temporal–Spatial Tension. Women with unintended pregnancies face significant challenges in fertility protection, including limited knowledge, unmet psychological support needs, and inadequate information. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive interventions that integrate psychological, educational, and social support systems to improve women’s reproductive health. Future research should focus on developing tailored interventions and policies to support women in protecting their fertility and navigating the complexities of unintended pregnancies.
SN - 2045-2322
ER -