ประสบการณ์การตั้งครรภ์ของมารดาอายุมากในอำเภอเมืองอุตรดิตถ์: การวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพแบบพรรณนา

Jirapron Visidgoson; Sirikanda Sukkasem

Authors

Jirapron Visidgoson Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Uttaradit Faculty of Nursing, Praboromarajchanok Institute
Sirikanda Sukkasem Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Uttaradit Faculty of Nursing, Praboromarajchanok Institute

Keywords:

advanced maternal age, self-care during pregnancy, social support | healthcare access

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of advanced maternal age (AMA) pregnancies (≥35 years) continues to rise globally; however, subjective experiences of self-care, social support, and healthcare access among AMA women in the Thai context remain poorly understood.
Aims: This descriptive qualitative study aimed to explore and describe the pregnancy experiences of AMA women in Mueang Uttaradit District.
Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 participants, recruited through purposive sampling with village health volunteers serving as gatekeepers. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis.
Results: Four main themes emerged: (1) Dual emotional states between joy and fear: Pregnancy experiences at advanced age, in which all participants expressed joy intertwined with anxiety about chromosomal abnormalities, partially alleviated after receiving low-risk screening results; (2) Determined self-care amid age-related fatigue, characterized by strong nutritional motivation but limited physical activity; (3) A support Network centered on the spouse, complemented by village health volunteers as bridges between mothers and the healthcare system; and (4) Antenatal care access: choices, barriers, and expectations of the system, in which the main barriers were long waiting times and physical exhaustion, despite general satisfaction with healthcare providers' attitudes.
Conclusion and recommendations: The findings highlight the need to develop dedicated antenatal clinics for AMA women, strengthen village health volunteer competencies, and systematically promote spousal involvement throughout the antenatal period.

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