WOMEN’S PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR HEALTH THROUGH LIFE TRANSITIONS: MOTHERING YOUNG CHILDREN DURING PERIMENOPAUSE

Background: Women are having children at an older age than any time in the past 50 years (Hall,1999). Since 1990, the birth rate for women aged 35 to 39 years has risen by 46%. Women aged 40-44 years old have more than doubled their birth rate since 1981, and increased 65% since 1990. (Martin, Hamilton, Sutton, Ventura, Menacker, Kirmeyer, & Munson, 2007).  Few studies, particularly qualitative studies, have explored the mothering experiences of women who give birth after the age of 35 years, and none of these include women who are simultaneously experiencing symptoms of perimenopause. 

Aim: To understand women’s perceptions of their health as they mother young children, while simultaneously transitioning to menopause.

Method: Using the qualitative theoretical perspective of hermeneutic phenomenology, data was generated through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 13 women (26 interviews total). Inclusion criteria were women 40 years old when they delivered or adopted their first child, and who were experiencing symptoms of perimenopause. Data analysis has been ongoing, guided by Van Manen's (1990) thematic approach, and the researcher is in the writing phase of this doctoral work.   

Results: Findings support that midlife women consider themselves healthy despite menopausal symptoms. Their experiences as older first time mothers are intense, and their position as older mothers serves as motivation for healthy behaviors in order to ‘be there’ for the child in the future. The concept of uncertainty is relevant in understanding older mothers’ experiences transitioning into menopause and motherhood. Their experiences as midlife mothers are compounded by insufficient preparation for menopause by healthcare providers and inadequate social support networks.

Conclusion:There is little understanding about older mothers’ experiences of mothering, let alone how these may change or be affected by the overlapping life transition to menopause. This study adds to a limited body of knowledge and has implications for the support and health care provided to these women by nurses and other healthcare providers.