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Journal of Family Issues, Vol. 27, No. 11, 1512-1531 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0192513X06290855
© 2006 SAGE Publications

Transition to Parenthood and Conjugal Life

Comparisons Between Planned and Unplanned Pregnancies

Geneviève Bouchard

Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, bouchage{at}umoncton.ca

Jolène Boudreau

Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Renée Hébert

Université de Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

One of the variables that could explain the considerable variety of ways that adult couples handle the transition to parenthood is whether the pregnancy was planned or not. However, very little is known about the impact of pregnancy intendedness on the conjugal life of couples during this transition. The aim of this study was to address this gap in the literature by comparing the trajectory of 21 couples facing an unplanned pregnancy to the one of 99 couples facing a planned pregnancy. Each partner completed measures of dyadic adjustment and conjugal conflicts during the third trimester of pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. Results indicate that pregnancy intendedness influences the way couples experienced the transition to parenthood. Results suggest that couples with unplanned pregnancies experience higher levels of relationship functioning following than before the birth, whereas couples facing planned pregnancies experience lower levels of functioning following than before the birth.

Key Words: unplanned pregnancy • planned pregnancy • transition to parenthood • conjugal life • adult couples


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