Living with uncertainty: A Swedish qualitative interview study of women at home on sick leave due to premature labour

Objectiveto highlight the experiences of pregnant women, experiencing preterm labour, being on sick leave at home and how they handled their daily life.Designqualitative, descriptive using open interviews.Setting10 antenatal clinics in the south of Sweden.Participants15 pregnant women who were on sick leave for premature labour.Findingsfour categories were identified: how to interpret unpredictable contractions in the uterus? Having concern regarding premature labour of their child, handling the new situation and finding a balance, and from work to sick leave.Key conclusionsto be on sick leave for premature contractions can be compared with enduring a situation of inactivity. The woman finds herself in a stressful situation which she must learn to handle this and find a balance.Implications for practiceit appears that supportive information offers the women in premature labour the opportunity of increased participation and responsibility which thereby positively affects her well-being.