Research Article
Melek Ardahan
Abstract
Background: Gestation and birth are physiological events and it might be easier for a woman to accept changes in her body image resulting from changes occurred in her body. Purpose: This study aims to determine body alterations, thoughts and behaviors of pregnant women which reflect their body image, and evaluate the effectiveness of education. Methods: The data for the intervention research was collected through face to face interviews conducted with 39 volunteer women who applied to health centers with the use of 36-item “Body Image in Pregnant Women Form”. In examination of data, t-test is used. The study approvals of relevant institutions are obtained. Results: The body and image satisfaction of pregnant before the pregnancy was 97.4 %, whereas it is 84.6% during pregnancy. In statistical analyses measuring the difference between the desire of eating (t=5.783 p<0.01), the habit of looking at the mirror (t=2.041 p<0.05), weigh checking behavior (t= 5.818 p<0.01), behavior of calling themselves names (t=4.638 p<0.01) pre-gestation and during gestation, a significant relationship was determined. All of the respondents stated that they were satisfied with the education and the subjects of training were beneficial. Conclusion: When the results of the study examined, it was concluded that body image was changed during pregnancy, the pregnant were happy despite the alterations in body image, the education made contribution to the improvement of body image by changing the behaviors reflecting the body image.