Accommodating a Twin Pregnancy: Maternal Processes

Abstract

The object of this study was to develop a theory of the relationship between a mother and her unborn twins using a qualitative grounded theory methodology. Ten women participated in interviews during the last trimester of a twin pregnancy and again during the early postpartum period. Data provided by these women was analysed using the constant comparative method. Two additional informants were sampled in order to formulate and verify the tentative theory. For women in this study, the findings indicate that mothers form a relationship with their unborn twins within the wider context of accommodating the twin pregnancy in their lives. A woman accomplishes this process by immediately seeking information about twin pregnancy, by making room, in all senses, for two babies instead of one in her life, and by appraising her own pregnancy risk. A mother engages in self-protective behaviors and in behaviors designed to protect the health of her unborn twins as a method of coping with the perceived risk of the twin pregnancy and with the twin pregnancy itself. As the twin pregnancy progresses, women move toward accepting the idea of being pregnant with twins. For women pregnant with twins, the birth of two infants confirms the reality of the pregnancy.

Prenatal attachment in future parents of twins

“…The diagnosis of a multiple pregnancy often produces reactions of panic and shock in the future parents (Robin et al, 1992). As the pregnancy progresses, however, women move towards accepting the idea of being pregnant with twins (van der Zalm, 1995). Mothers pregnant with twins more often are hospitalised or confined to bed.…”

Gaining access to everyday life information seeking

“…Once we had established an initial rapport, my participants were extremely forthcoming. As others researching this population have found (Frank, 1997;Van der Zalm, 1995), my status as someone who had ''been through it'' helped in providing a comfortable and trusting environment for respondents to disclose their feelings and experiences. Oakley (1981) suggested that reciprocal exchange may be more effective than the traditional research interview model (with the informant as ''giver'' and the researcher as ''receiver'') when interviewing women about such issues as pregnancy and childbirth.…”

“…Based on other studies of this population (e.g., Van der Zalm, 1995), it was expected that participants could be recruited by contacting health care providers and a local twin parenting organization, placing newspaper ads, distributing publicity flyers, and acquiring referrals through snowball sampling. As a former member of the twin parenting organization, I had volunteered on committees whose membership included maternity and infant health care providers.…”

Social- and Health-Care Professionals’ Meetings with Multiple-Birth Families—Challenges and the Need for More Training and Education

“…[38] exhorts health professionals practising in hospital and community settings to become aware of the unique needs of multiple-birth women. Refs.…”