OBJECTIVE: To describe symptoms, self-care for symptoms, and lay consultations of African American women later diagnosed with a likelihood of preterm labor (PTL). DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. SETTING: Two sites within the United States, one urban and one suburban high-risk maternity referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five African American women presenting for emergent care and subsequently diagnosed as "rule out PTL." Five of the women later delivered before 37 weeks gestation, of whom 4 had a preterm low-birthweight infant (<or=2,500 g). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Women's symptoms, self-care for symptoms, and lay consultations prior to seeking care for PTL. RESULTS: The most common reason for seeking care was due to "pains," and the second most common was "cramping," with most women (n = 17) seeking care within 4 to 24 hours of first experiencing symptoms. Importantly, 15 of the women first contacted friends/family members before seeking care. CONCLUSIONS: In African American women, implications about PTL teaching include adding the word "pain" as another teaching descriptor and targeting education to individuals whom the patient considers to be significant such as a close friend or family member.
OBJECTIVE: To describe symptoms, self-care for symptoms, and lay consultations of African American women later diagnosed with a likelihood of preterm labor (PTL). DESIGN: Qualitative descriptive study. SETTING: Two sites within the United States, one urban and one suburban high-risk maternity referral center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five African American women presenting for emergent care and subsequently diagnosed as "rule out PTL." Five of the women later delivered before 37 weeks gestation, of whom 4 had a preterm low-birthweight infant (<or=2,500 g). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Women's symptoms, self-care for symptoms, and lay consultations prior to seeking care for PTL. RESULTS: The most common reason for seeking care was due to "pains," and the second most common was "cramping," with most women (n = 17) seeking care within 4 to 24 hours of first experiencing symptoms. Importantly, 15 of the women first contacted friends/family members before seeking care. CONCLUSIONS: In African American women, implications about PTL teaching include adding the word "pain" as another teaching descriptor and targeting education to individuals whom the patient considers to be significant such as a close friend or family member.