Prenatal harmful substances: Thai pregnant women’s experiences

Background: The exposure of unborn babies to harmful substances during prenatal stages
can lead to fetal anomalies, emphasizing the significance of pregnant women’s practices in
ensuring optimal fetal outcomes. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding this issue
from the perspective of pregnant women.
Objective: This study aimed to describe the experiences of pregnant women in avoiding
harmful substances to their unborn babies.
Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. Data were collected between
September 2020 and April 2021 through in-depth interviews with 17 pregnant women
purposively selected from two hospitals in southern Thailand. Data were transcribed verbatim
and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Four themes emerged from the participants’ experiences: 1) understanding of harms,
which included substance characteristics, exposure characteristics, body’s protective
mechanism, personal experiences, and obtained information; 2) practices for safety, which
consisted of food safety, work safety, ambient air safety, and safety in personal/household
products; 3) challenges in avoiding harmful substances, which were unrecognition,
unavailability of safe substances, discomfort and inconvenience, inevitability, and family
traditions; and 4) overcoming the challenges through personal changes, obtaining support,
and ensuring a peaceful mind.
Conclusion: The findings provide valuable insights into prenatal exposure to harmful
substances, which can serve as a basis for developing comprehensive guidelines for best
practices. It is crucial for nurses to receive training that enables them to educate pregnant
women, enhancing their awareness of important harmful substances and promoting effective
methods for maintaining safety in their daily activities. Additionally, nurses can develop
interventions to empower pregnant women to overcome challenges by involving significant
individuals, particularly family members, in providing support and creating an optimal prenatal
environment.