Previous studies have shown that HG does have a negative
impact on the daily lives of women who experience
it. Results of this study support many of the findings of
O’Brien et al. (2002). Having HG is a daily struggle,
and during the struggle, women move through a process
of trying to cope with symptoms. This ultimately leads to
social and psychological isolation until symptoms abate.
It is evident from both this research and previous studies
that women experience negative feelings throughout
this struggle including guilt, loneliness, shame, frustration,
and worry. The theory generated from this study
does not refute the theory of O’Brien and coworkers. It
provides more information about how HG may also
impact maternal infant attachment and a woman’s role as
a mother.
Because the participants were asked to describe how
they felt about having HG, they were free to talk about
any aspect of the experience they chose, not necessarily
the impact on the maternal role. Grounded theory
methodology strengthened this study because it provided
the investigator the freedom to explore by direct questions,
while focusing on the stories of people who have
firsthand experiences.
A limitation of the study is that results are from a specific
population. The participants were 8 White women
living in the southeastern United States, whose ages varied
from 19 to 35. The impact of HG on women in other
cultures, specific age groups, or in other geographic areas
could differ.