Challenges of Avoiding Congenital Disorders: Experiences of Pregnant Women in Northeastern Thailand

Maternal knowledge and behaviors attempting to prevent or avoid congenital disorders have not reached optimal levels. This qualitative descriptive study describes the challenges of avoiding congenital disorders from the experiences of pregnant women in northeastern Thailand. Data were collected between November 2017 and August 2019 from 18 pregnant women through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three themes reflecting challenges emerged. Firstly, ‘traditional beliefs’ were challenging regarding unclear and potential adverse outcomes. Secondly, the challenges of ‘contemporary beliefs’ included distinct views and inaccessible information, characterized as non-apprehension, non-comprehension, non-modernization, or non-precision to preventing congenital disorders. Finally, ‘daily life activities,’ in selectiveness in eating, attainment of mother-child healthiness, and harm avoidance were aimed at both congenital disorder prevention and fetal development promotion. Some significant challenging topics included: vulnerable periods; some taboos; nutrients for brain development; safety in food, working, and environment; concerns with dangers of physical activities, exercise, maternal stress, and medicines; and misperceived benefits of herbal drugs and fetal stimulation. Nursing and midwifery practice guidelines should integrate the concept of congenital disorders prevention into the promotion of fetal development using culturally-sensitive approaches. The found challenges should be overcome and further applied in refining the practice guidelines.