OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics of women without prenatal care and their reasons for not seeking prenatal care. DESIGN: Retrospective record review. SETTING: Urban, academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Women without prenatal care whose pregnancies reached the third trimester, who presented to the hospital for delivery or immediately postpartum for a 7 year period. METHODS: Records were reviewed for factors including socio-demographic factors, history of pregnancy/miscarriage/abortion, social supports, abuse history, history of substance use, toxicology results, history of mental illness or mental retardation, and the reason for lack of prenatal care. RESULTS: Among 211 women with no prenatal care, the primary reasons were noted: 30% had problems with substance use; 29% experienced denial of pregnancy; 18% had financial reasons; 9% concealed pregnancy; and 6% believed they did not need prenatal care due to multiparity. Women with substance use disorders were significantly more likely to be older, unemployed multigravidas. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should target specific groups of women for education and intervention based on their rationale for not seeking prenatal care.
OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics of women without prenatal care and their reasons for not seeking prenatal care. DESIGN: Retrospective record review. SETTING: Urban, academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Women without prenatal care whose pregnancies reached the third trimester, who presented to the hospital for delivery or immediately postpartum for a 7 year period. METHODS: Records were reviewed for factors including socio-demographic factors, history of pregnancy/miscarriage/abortion, social supports, abuse history, history of substance use, toxicology results, history of mental illness or mental retardation, and the reason for lack of prenatal care. RESULTS: Among 211 women with no prenatal care, the primary reasons were noted: 30% had problems with substance use; 29% experienced denial of pregnancy; 18% had financial reasons; 9% concealed pregnancy; and 6% believed they did not need prenatal care due to multiparity. Women with substance use disorders were significantly more likely to be older, unemployed multigravidas. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses should target specific groups of women for education and intervention based on their rationale for not seeking prenatal care.