Ambivalent Intentions for Pregnancy: Measurement, Partner Effects, and Future Intentions

Bryndl Hohmann-Marriott, University of Otago

Unintended pregnancies impact the well-being of children and parents and play an important role in fertility. However, measurement of unintended pregnancies may be compromised by oversimplified measures that fail to fully capture women’s experiences. Research clearly indicates that a substantial portion of women are ambivalent about their pregnancy, and thus do not fit into unidimensional definitions of intent. The current study leverages standard measures of pregnancy intention to create a multidimensional measurement that identifies ambivalence. Using this measurement, about a third of mothers in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Birth Cohort and the Millennium Cohort Study are identified as having ambivalent pregnancy intentions. These ambivalent intentions are associated with characteristics of the mother, the relationship, and the father, as well as the mother’s intentions for future fertility.