We Are Mothers Too: Childbearing Experiences of Lesbian Families

OBJECTIVE

To describe lesbians' personal and health care experiences of becoming pregnant, giving birth, and being mothers and comothers within the context of potentially oppressive family, social, and political structures.

DESIGN

Critical ethnography.

SETTING

Participants' homes, lesbian mother support group, and prenatal clinics and hospitals in the Pacific Northwest.

PARTICIPANTS

English-speaking self-identified lesbian women, including 21 interview and six focus-group participants and approximately 43 observed in a support group.

DATA COLLECTION

In-depth open-ended interviews, focus group, and participant observation.

DATA ANALYSIS

Content/categorical analysis followed by discussion of the mother's stories and a critical conversation about lesbian mothering.

RESULTS

The seven organizing themes are as follows: preparing the way: becoming ready; conception: you can't just fall into it; you can hear a heartbeat: pregnancy; birthing our babies; the work of mothers and mothers who work; families who sustain and families who oppose; and sources of support in everyday life. The first four are described in this article.

CONCLUSIONS

Health care providers, policy makers, and the public can be better informed about the specific needs of childbearing lesbians.