Unwanted Pregnancies Among Women with Mental Health Problems: Exploring the Impact of Mental Health When Dealing with an Unwanted Pregnancy.

Background: International studies show that women with mental health issues are more likely to experience unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. Conversely, dealing with an unwanted pregnancy might negatively impact mental health: carrying an unwanted pregnacy to term may raise the risk of perinatal and postpartum depression in vulnerable women, while abortion can add stress for those with pre-existing mental health problems. This reciprocal relationship underscores the need to better understand how affected women subjectively cope with and evaluate these experiences

Methods: We conducted 40 narrative-biographical interviews with women who were in treatment for a mental illness and who had either carried an unplanned pregnancy to term or terminated it. In our analysis, we aimed to develop 1.) case structure hypotheses and 2.) a typology regarding the particular impact of mental health when dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.

Results: Based on women's biographical narratives, we developed five types concerning the significance of mental health when dealing with an unwanted pregnancy including 1) “healing,” 2) “stabilizing,” 3) “conformity,” 4) “rationalizing,” and 5) “passivity.”

Discussion: The findings of our reconstructive analysis highlight the significance of biographical approaches in treating and supporting women, offering insights into the personal significance of reproductive events and enabling more tailored support in psychiatric treatment and psychosocial care. A holistic perspective on reproductive experiences—spanning from the desire for children through pregnancy (or termination) to parenthood—can significantly contribute to the potential of parenthood to foster social participation.