Explore the lived childbirth experiences, challenges following childbirth, and coping strategies of teenage mothers: A qualitative meta-synthesis

Problem

Worldwide, 16 million girls give birth during adolescence each year, which has negative health, social, and economic consequences for adolescent women's future.

Background

Childbirths occurring between the ages of 13-19, before teenage girls have reached the age of maturity to handle the parenting role, are often unplanned.

Objective

The aim of this study was to gain a comprehensive understanding of lived childbirth experiences, identify the challenges of early motherhood, and explore the coping strategies employed by teenage mothers to overcome these challenges during the transition to motherhood.

Methods

Six commonly cited databases were used to retrieve articles using the SPIDER framework. We utilized the Walsh and Downe quality appraisal tool, which is considered the most appropriate fit for the current qualitative meta-synthesis. The thematic analysis approach was used to draw conclusions and generate hypotheses.

Results

This meta-synthesis showed that teenage mothers often encounter negative reactions from their partners, families, and communities due to their early childbirth. They face numerous challenges, including parenting incompetency, school dropout, conflict between adolescent interests and maternal responsibilities, emotional disturbance, and financial problems. Social support and self-efficacy are the main coping strategies to navigate these challenges and attain maternal competencies.

Conclusion and implications

Families, peers, and midwives play a crucial role in providing parenting lessons for teenage mothers. Encouraging teenage mothers to believe in their capacities is an important coping strategy to facilitate a smoother motherhood transition. Further studies are needed to test the effectiveness of self-efficacy and social support interventions on teenage mothers’ parenthood role attainment and in preventing mental health problems following childbirth.