DISCUSSION
The findings of the study showed that some reactions of the adolescents to pregnancy were different compared to other age groups. Pregnancy is a multi-dimensional phenomenon in which the expecting adolescent, her husband, relatives, and fetus must be monitored. The findings of the study also showed that the expecting adolescent reacts psychologically, physically, and spiritually to the phenomenon and its dimensions. Most participants who had married consensually and become pregnant in a preplanned way had good feelings about pregnancy and having a baby. The findings of Ebanks showed that expecting adolescents who had planned pregnancy described it as a positive experience in their lives.[18] Rosengard et al. found that having a positive view of becoming a mother during adolescence causes the adolescents view having a baby a motive for setting their targets in life and loving someone who reciprocates their love and a sign of maturity.[19] Montgomery's study on preplanned pregnancy of adolescents referred to themes such as being good for further growing up along with a sense of responsibility, independence, maturity, a long history of the usefulness of pregnancy, and being a mother and pregnancy being the next natural step in one's life.[20]
In the present study, one participant who had got married non-consensually had bad feelings about pregnancy and her husband. She said that the feelings had led to worries and anxieties during her pregnancy. Other studies in different countries have shown that anxiety and stress during unwanted pregnancy is associated with few positive feelings about being a mother and much difficulty in becoming a mother, as well as with symptoms of depression.[21,22] Paskiewicz found that the experience of pregnancy among adolescents was associated with things such as conflict, role change, and social isolation.[23] Also, Meadows-Oliver found that participants with unwanted pregnancies considered it as fast aging and a loss of their adolescent period. The results showed that becoming a mother means transition from adolescence to adulthood faster than peers. Under such circumstances, adolescents cannot do activities that they enjoy doing.[24]
In the present study, as for the feelings toward husband, the participants spoke of things ranging from ability and making plans to look after the infant with the help of the husband, succeeding in adapting oneself with pregnancy with the help of the husband, feeling that one is understood by her husband, and feeling that husband cares more about his wife during pregnancy. A phenomenological study by Spear showed that eight expecting adolescents had a good feeling about becoming a mother alone, completing one's educational goals and maintaining the protective relationship with the child's father.[25] Some other findings of the study are compatible with the results of the present research. Most participants referred to their husband's consent besides their willingness regarding their planning for pregnancy. Siegel (2001) showed that pregnant adolescent's husband and community are the most important factors in decision-making for planning pregnancy.[26]
The physical reactions of adolescents were similar to those of other age groups. However, it is necessary that the inexperienced pregnant adolescent's relatives and husband support her and inform her of how to deal with these reactions. In the study titled, “Nursing for expecting adolescents,” Montgomery reported that looking after the pregnant adolescents physically is similar to that of adults, but the adolescents have unique needs.[20] Adolescents often need care and extensive instruction during pregnancy and after giving birth. They are less experienced than adults. This reduces their ability to adapt themselves to life changes they experience during pregnancy and labor.
The theme of spiritual reactions involves two subthemes: Religious beliefs and faith. The participants said, “it was God's providence that we had a baby so early” and “trusting in God for the health of the child.” Some studies referred to the role of faith and religious belief in shaping one's attitude toward pregnancy. Tanner et al. showed that resorting to religious messages by participants often provides the logic for conception. As the adolescents participating in their study said, unwanted pregnancy can be God's will.[27] One of the minor findings of the present study was that most pregnancies occurred among those adolescents who conceived just for the sake of avoiding continuing their studies to higher levels. Haldre et al. also said one of the factors concerning pregnancy during adolescence was attitude toward school (reluctance to go to school any more).[28] In the present study, all the expecting adolescents, including those who had married consensually and non-consensually and those who had planned or unplanned pregnancies, reported a history of their relatives (mother or sister) marrying and giving birth while they were too young. Gokce et al. reported that factors such as marriage during the period of adolescent, high school, or lower education and having sisters with a history of conception during adolescence had a relationship with pregnancy among adolescents.[29] East et al. also showed that there was a relationship between pregnancy during adolescence and the history of conception during the period among family members. According to the study, adolescents whose mothers or sisters or both had experienced pregnancy during adolescence had most probably experienced the same thing