This study explored the experience of contraceptive use by women wanting to prevent pregnancy. Six women between the ages of 22 and 41 were interviewed concerning their lifetime experience with contraception. The women spoke of similar issues such as making their own decisions, being ambivalent at times, fear of pregnancy, taking risks, reactions to failure of a method and the influence of mothers, partners, and health care providers. The seven themes that emerged were titled as "the decision was mine", "throw caution to the wind", "scared half to death", "something's just not right here", "a big, big shock", "I was never told the facts of life" and "you don't ask any questions". Themes were described using the actual words of each woman interviewed so as to reflect the lived experience of contraceptive use. / School of Nursing

After the forced sterilizations of low-income and minority women were exposed in the 1970’s, new Medicaid policies were put into place in order to protect vulnerable populations. The revised policy included a mandatory consent form and a waiting period of 30 days between consent and procedure, as well as a presentation of the form at time of procedure. Although these policies were enacted to protect vulnerable populations, research has shown they are ineffective and act as barrier to women receiving the post-partum tubal sterilization that they desire. The policy has been shown to have a disproportionate detrimental impact on minority populations, and it has created a two-tiered health care system in terms of sterilization. The unfulfilled requests lead to many inadvertent consequences, including higher rates of unintended pregnancies, abortions, loss of self-efficacy, and higher costs for the Medicaid system. In order to ensure equitable treatment of Medicaid patients in regards to tubal sterilization, the 30-day waiting period should be rescinded. Additionally, to confirm that patients are fully knowledgeable of the implications of the tubal sterilization, the form and any ensuing consent should be rewritten to meet literacy standards for the target demographic. This analysis will include a history of the issue, an examination of relevant research, a policy analysis and recommendations to enhance healthcare equity.

Based on data from the 1990 Indonesian Census and the 1991 Demographic and Health Survey, analyses of fertility, fertility decline, and the use of contraceptive methods in Indonesia are presented. Two levels of analysis are carried out in this thesis: a macro-approach and a micro-approach. The analysis using the macro approach reveals that the family planning program, the status of women's jobs, and infant mortality rates are important determinants of fertility in Indonesia. In addition, the micro analysis shows that there are differences in the average number of children ever-born to couples according to the type of present and childhood residence, educational attainment, religion and occupational status. / Controlling for regional population density reversed the direction of the impact of agriculture sector employment on fertility. Overall in Indonesia, individual couples who worked in agriculture sector had higher fertility than those who worked in the non agriculture sector. However, in the densely populated areas of the country such as Java and Bali, those who worked in the agriculture sector had lower fertility than those who worked in the non agriculture sector. / The results of this dissertation support the claim that fertility and fertility decline are very complex phenomena. There is no definitive set of variables that strongly and consistently affect them. The most important finding from these analyses is that the fertility rate is influenced both by individual couple's characteristics as well as the place where they live. Further research on fertility and fertility decline should emphasize both of these characteristics.

Typescript. / Bibliography: leaves [333]-339. / Microfiche. / xx, 339 leaves ill., maps

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 (PhD. (Sociology))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (S.T.L.)--Catholic University of America, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-132).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, Discipline of Geographical and Environmental Studies and Discipline of Gender and Labour Studies, 2006. / "January 2006" Bibliography: leaves 336-375.

Thesis (M.A. in communication)--Washington State University, August 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-56).

Thesis (M.M.)--University of Sydney, 2007. / Title from title screen (viewed Dec. 18, 2007). Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine to the Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine. Includes tables and questionnaires. Includes bibliographical references.