Lesbian-identified women are choosing to become parents in increasing numbers. This 'lesbian baby boom' has implications for midwives and their practice. The purpose of this study was to gain insight and understanding of planned pregnancy from a lesbian perspective, in order to facilitate the provision of appropriate care for lesbian mothers and their families.The methodology used for the study was radical hermeneutics informed by lesbian feminism and queer poststructuralism. Purposive sampling identified ten lesbian-identified mothers and conversational interviews with the participants yielded rich data about the phenomenon of inquiry. Thematic analysis of the data was foregrounded by a discussion of the socio-political context.A number of findings emerged from the study. Careful pre-conceptual planning reflected a highly responsible approach to parenting. The women's partners felt uncertain about their parenting role and experienced a lack of acknowledgement by the wider community. Despite legal access to assisted fertility, the participants usually sought an involved father for their child. Lesbian mothers expressed a preference for a lesbian midwife and all experienced homophobic attitudes from healthcare professionals. Queer families included mothers and their partners, fathers and their partners, children, families-of-origin, and close friends.Recommendations from the study include the provision of safe and supportive workplaces for lesbian-identified midwives, the use of inclusive language such as partner and parent, acknowledgement of the woman's partner as a co-parent, midwifery resources featuring same-sex parents and midwifery education covering diverse family forms.

Thesis (M.R.E.)--Brigham Young University, Dept. of Church History and Doctrine. / Electronic thesis. Also available in print ed.

Thesis (M.A.)--Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 2001. / "May 2001." Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-76).

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The study is titled 'Determinants of contraceptive use among young women in Lesotho'. Caldwell and Caldwell (2002:80) assert, "The most serious problem with existing subSaharan family planning programs is their neglect at adolescents' needs". The main objective of the study is to investigate factors influencing the use of modern contraceptives among young women (15-24 years old) in Lesotho and to contribute towards improvements in health care services for adolescents. The study will examine the levels of contraceptive use among young people in Lesotho, and explore social and demographic factors that promote contraceptive use. The study is based on the data from 2004 Lesotho Demographic and Health Survey which is a representative sample. The study showed that young people have high knowledge of modern methods of contraceptive (knowledge ranked up to 91 percent) however use of methods is lower (ranked up to 44 percent). Traditional methods were the least known except for withdrawal which had a plausible percentage (64.7 percent). Most of sexually active young people have ever used contraceptives and injectables were the leading method while condoms were the most generally known. The study also showed that contraceptive use increases with age, level of education, wealth and discussion of family planning with partner. Results of the logistic regression analysis, however, showed unexpected results where adolescents' from the rural areas had a higher likelihood of using contraceptives than those from urban areas. Married young women had a high level of contraceptive use than those never married. Socio-cultural context hinders the establishment of reproductive programs on adolescents as their sexuality is attached to marriage and childbearing. It was recommended that intensive programs informing young people about their reproductive decision-making is needed. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

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During the six month period June to December 1990, 300 Indian teenagers attending the urban general practice of the researcher were interviewed. Data pertaining to age, sex, knowledge and utilization of contraceptives were recorded. The results showed that the majority of teenagers (57%) had a good knowledge of contraceptives. Utilization, however remained low. Most (56%) knew where their local Family Planning Clinic was, but only a small percentage (15%) attended. Recommendations directed towards implementing increased utilization of various contraceptive methods and decreasing teenage pregnancies are submitted. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1991.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Prax.Med.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1991.