M.A. / In 1996, the South African Government implemented the Choice on Termination (CTOP) Act to curb maternal mortality. This study emerged after an observation by experts in the field that there were a growing number of women who were admitted in antenatal care units with incomplete abortions, commonly known as miscarriage. These experts observed that some of these women, on closer observation, had signs of either scared wombs or had foreign objects in their uteri. This was understandable in provinces where there were fewer health facilities offering TOP serves. In Gauteng, however, it was not understandable because this province has the most designated facilities in the country. It was, therefore, necessary to investigate why women had unwanted pregnancies and, more so, why they opted for back-street abortion services instead of accessing the many available legal services. It was discovered that most of these women had low socio-economic status, did not use contraceptives and did not know about the CTOP Act. The few who did know about the Act, did not use the legal abortion options because of the fear of being judged by health care workers. In addition, some of these women were turned away from health facilities because the list of women waiting for these services, was too long. Involved in assisting these women to terminate their pregnancies illegally were mothers, sisters, boyfriends/partners, traditional healers, pharmacists, nurses and doctors. It is suggested that intense education on the CTOP Act should be rolled out to the whole community; contraceptive services should be improved; health education with the emphasis on reproductive health and services should be expanded to private doctors and midwives. / Dr. Ria Smit Prof. J.M. Uys

Thesis (Th. M.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-105).

Four short-term interventions (relaxation instructions, cognitive imagery instructions, cognitive modeling, and vicarious modeling) were experienced by 105 first-trimester abortion patients, to determine their effects on abortion pain and self-efficacy in handling abortion pain, as measured by self-report. No significant differences were found among treatment group and controls. In fact, no significant increases were found among groups in the time the patients spent engaging in activities suggested by instructions. However, abortion patients were found to show significant differences in abortion pain and distress by whether they had experienced natural childbirth training. Also, a sensitivity to staff attitudes was revealed by the finding of differences among counselors on patient pain sensations. Abortion was found to. be more painful by the women in this experiment than has been previously reported. However, women were able to accurately predict how well they were I going to handle abortion pain and how distressed it was going to make them.

Thesis (M.S.)--Calvary Theological Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [74]-78).

Thesis (M.S.)--Calvary Theological Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [74]-78).

Thesis (M.A.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 2004. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [37-38]).

Thesis (M.A.)--Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, South Hamilton, MA, 2004. / Abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [37-38]).

Thesis (M.S.)--Calvary Theological Seminary, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [74]-78).

M.Cur. / The story of loss, after the experience of spontaneous abortion affects the women’s being as a whole. It impacts her emotional, physical, intellectual, social and spiritual dimensions. The woman finds herself robbed of her voice by her social network. She stands isolated in her new reality of loss and bereavement. This research tells the story of the women’s loss after the experience of spontaneous abortion. The objectives of the research are to • explore and describe the women’s experience after a spontaneous abortion, and • describe guidelines for the advanced psychiatric nurse practitioner according to which he/she can provide support to women after the experience of spontaneous abortion and facilitate mental health through the mobilisation of resources. The paradigmatic perspective of this study is guided by the Theory for Health Promotion in Nursing (Rand Afrikaans University, Department of Nursing Science, 2002: 2-8). A functional approach was followed, based on Botes’s model for nursing research (Botes in Rand Afrikaans University: Department of Nursing, 2002: 9-15). A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory and contextual design was used. In-depth, semi-structured, phenomenological interviews were held with seven women who fitted the sample criteria. Consent for the research was obtained from the Rand Afrikaans University as well as informed consent from the women volunteering to participate in the research. Trustworthiness was maintained by using strategies of credibility, applicability, dependability and confirmability, as described by Lincoln and Guba (1985: 289-331). Recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using Tesch’s data analysis techniques (in Creswell, 1994: 155-136). An independent coder was utilised in coding the data, and a consensus discussion was held between the researcher and the independent coder. A central storyline was identified and themes highlighted. A literature control was undertaken to highlight similarities and differences between this and other research. The results were described in a narrative manner, which included the content as well as the processes of the women’s emotional experiences after the experience of spontaneous abortion. The impact of the loss affected her social dimension in terms of emotional processes as well as emotional expression. Participants experienced a strong need for acknowledgment of their loss and understanding of their reality of loss and bereavement. The spontaneous abortion has an impact on the women’s physical dimension. She experiences physical discomfort. The impact also effects her spiritual dimension by influencing her relationship with herself and God. The impact also touches her social dimension by robbing her of her voice through her social network’s response to the spontaneous abortion. There is also an impact on her relationship with her partner, as men and women experience and express loss differently. In the reality of loss and bereavement, the participants identified hope givers and hope stealers. Hope givers include • a strong connection with women who experienced spontaneous abortion themselves, • strengthening their relationship with God, • time as a healing faktor, • the value of sharing their stories, • the ability to find meaning after spontaneous abortion, and • the need for emotional growth. Hope stealers include • the response from people in her social network with regard to the spontaneous abortion, • experience of loss of control, • insufficient support in their interpersonal relationships and social network, • confronting the finality of the loss, and • being confronted with pregnant women en babies. Guidelines for the advanced psychiatric nurse practitioner to provide support to women after the experience of spontaneous abortion will be described to assist them in mobilising their resources to facilitate the promotion of their mental health.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1993. / Includes Contract for Doctor of Ministry project. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 377-382).