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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
The experience of spiritual and existential growth among Lithuanian pregnant women
1
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Medical Academy Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaunas, Lithuania
2
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Medical Academy Faculty of Nursing, Department of Nursing, Kaunas, Lithuania
3
Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Medical Academy Faculty of Public Health, Department of Bioethics, Kaunas, Lithuania
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A647
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Pregnancy and motherhood are unique experiences that involve biological and behavioral changes (Pritschet et al., 2024; Duarte-Guterman, Leuner, & Galea, 2019; Servin-Barthet et al., 2023). For some women, this experience also becomes a spiritual one (Prinds et al., 2014). While these experiences may overlap, the existential dimension primarily concerns meaning, identity, responsibility, boundary situations, and fundamental questions about life (Prinds, Timmerman, Hvidtjørn, et al., 2023).
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the lived experiences of spiritual and existential growth among pregnant Lithuanian women.
METHODS:
A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was conducted between Nov. 2019 and May 2020. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve women who were between the 13th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. To explore their experiences, three main questions were asked: What does spirituality mean to you during pregnancy? What does motherhood mean to you? How would you describe your relationship with your baby at this time?
RESULTS:
The findings revealed three main categories: Existential transformation; Spiritual breakthrough in motherhood; Close relationships take on new depth and meaning.
CONCLUSIONS:
Pregnancy is a profound existential transformation for women, involving emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual changes that deepen connections with themselves, their partners, mothers, and their unborn child. Regardless of religious belief, women interpret pregnancy and the transition to motherhood as a sacred, meaningful journey, which strengthens their spirituality, inner resources, and connection to a higher power. These findings emphasize the need to recognize spirituality in maternal care and advocate for a holistic approach beyond the biomedical model.
KEY MESSAGE:
Pregnancy is profound existential and spiritual transformation that deeply shape women’s identities, relationships, and sense of meaning, highlighting the need for holistic care that integrates both the physical and spiritual dimensions of maternal experience. Poster session 2 (Group A)
Pregnancy and motherhood are unique experiences that involve biological and behavioral changes (Pritschet et al., 2024; Duarte-Guterman, Leuner, & Galea, 2019; Servin-Barthet et al., 2023). For some women, this experience also becomes a spiritual one (Prinds et al., 2014). While these experiences may overlap, the existential dimension primarily concerns meaning, identity, responsibility, boundary situations, and fundamental questions about life (Prinds, Timmerman, Hvidtjørn, et al., 2023).
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the lived experiences of spiritual and existential growth among pregnant Lithuanian women.
METHODS:
A qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was conducted between Nov. 2019 and May 2020. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve women who were between the 13th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. To explore their experiences, three main questions were asked: What does spirituality mean to you during pregnancy? What does motherhood mean to you? How would you describe your relationship with your baby at this time?
RESULTS:
The findings revealed three main categories: Existential transformation; Spiritual breakthrough in motherhood; Close relationships take on new depth and meaning.
CONCLUSIONS:
Pregnancy is a profound existential transformation for women, involving emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual changes that deepen connections with themselves, their partners, mothers, and their unborn child. Regardless of religious belief, women interpret pregnancy and the transition to motherhood as a sacred, meaningful journey, which strengthens their spirituality, inner resources, and connection to a higher power. These findings emphasize the need to recognize spirituality in maternal care and advocate for a holistic approach beyond the biomedical model.
KEY MESSAGE:
Pregnancy is profound existential and spiritual transformation that deeply shape women’s identities, relationships, and sense of meaning, highlighting the need for holistic care that integrates both the physical and spiritual dimensions of maternal experience. Poster session 2 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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