A Phenomenological Study of Families’ Experiences of Preterm Labor in Thailand

Abstract

Preterm labor has lasting effects on family life. Previous research has primarily focused on individuals or parent–infant dyads, often overlooking the broader family system. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the experiences of families facing preterm labor in Bangkok, Thailand. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit 13 families representing five family types: four extended, three nuclear, one blended, two single-mother, and three migrant families, for a total of 32 participants (13 women with preterm labor, nine husbands, six grandmothers, and an aunt). Data were collected through in-depth interviews and non-participatory observations until data saturation, from August 2022 to April 2023. Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Peer debriefing, member checking, and triangulation methods confirmed the study's trustworthiness. Three themes emerged from the analysis: Crisis of family highlighted the meaning of preterm labor as uncertainty, suffering, and burdens in family life; Changing our family life represented the impact on families related to their health, relationships, and functioning; and Continuity of care described families' needs for health services, including health literacy, caregiving skills, family involvement, and continuing home care. The + life, demonstrating that preterm labor is often perceived as a family crisis. Families require support from healthcare professionals and family members. These findings suggest that nurses, midwives, and healthcare providers develop family-centered interventions. Future nursing research should incorporate experimental designs that address the diverse needs of families facing preterm labor.