A project for future life—Swedish women's thoughts on childbearing lacking experience of giving birth and parenthood

A lifeworld hermeneutic approach was used in order to understand Swedish women's thoughts on childbearing. Nine women were interviewed, and they ranged in age from 22 to 28 years and represented diverse socioeconomic, educational, sexual, and fertility backgrounds. All women were similar in that they lacked experience of giving birth and parenthood. The analysis showed that childbearing includes dimensions of both immanence and transcendence. Immanence, as childbearing is seen as stagnant to women's freedom in present life. Transcendence, as childbearing is thought of as a project for future life, a part of female identity, and a conscious standpoint for which the woman wants to be prepared and for which she wants to create the best conditions

First time pregnant women's experiences in early pregnancy

Background: There are few studies focusing on women's experiences of early pregnancy. Medical and psychological approaches have dominated the research. Taking women's experiences seriously during early pregnancy may prevent future suffering during childbirth. Aim: To describe and understand women's first time experiences of early pregnancy. Method: Qualitative study using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Data were collected via tape-recorded interviews in two antenatal care units in Sweden. Twelve first time pregnant women in week 10–14, aged between 17 and 37 years participated. Results: To be in early pregnancy means for the women a life opening both in terms of life affirming and suffering. The central themes are: living in the present and thinking ahead, being in a change of new perspectives and values and being in change to becoming a mother. Conclusions: The results have implications for the midwife's encounter with the women during pregnancy. Questions of more existential nature, instead of only focusing the physical aspects of the pregnancy, may lead to an improvement in health condition and a positive experience for the pregnant woman

Single-fraction radiation therapy provides highly effective palliation for cutaneous t-cell lymphoma

Purpose/Objective(s): A variety of dose fractionation schemes and techniques have been reported when treating cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) lesions for palliation. We sought to report our experience with single-fraction palliative radiation therapy. Materials/Methods: We reviewed 59 lesions in 17 patients with CTCL treated with a single fraction for palliative intent. Tumor characteristics, treatment approach, response to treatment, and toxicity were reviewed. Clinical response to treatment was defined as complete response (CR, 100% reduction), partial response (PR, \u3e50% but \u3c100%), and no response (NR). Results: All lesions were treated to a dose of 8 Gy, with a mean followup for all patients of 8 months (range 1-21 months). One lesion on the left knee was treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) iridium-192 brachytherapy because of its location, depth, irregular shape, and body contour. Another deeper lesion was treated with 6 MV photons, using a 3D plan with a 0.5 cm bolus. All remaining lesions (57) were treated with 6-12 MeVelectrons prescribed to the 90% isodose line, using an en face technique with a 0.5 cm bolus. There was a CR in 56 (94.9%) lesions. Three lesions (5.1%) had an initial PR and were re-treated to a dose of 8Gy in 1 fraction. These lesions went on to have a CR. The time interval between first and second fraction in lesions with PR ranged from 1-4 months. Lesions that had a PR were large (\u3e14 cm) and involved the anterior thigh, posterior thigh, and left buttock region. The thickness of the lesions did not predict for response. Tumor stage lesions responded equally well as plaque or patch lesions. Twelve of these lesions in 3 patients were those that were persistent after total skin electron therapy (TSET) to a dose of 36Gy in 24 fractions. These lesions were in areas of skin folds and were treated 6-8 weeks after completion of TSET. CR was achieved in all these residual lesions with an additional single fraction dose of 8Gy. No treatment related toxicity was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a highly effective palliative approach for treating CTCL lesions with minimal toxicity. Larger lesions may need re-treatment. Treatment after total skin electron therapy is safe and well tolerated