title: “Not another patient through the revolving door”: A case study analysis of six women’s experiences with pregnancy terminations in New Zealand.

authors: Lee, Katherine Louise

subjects: Pregnancy termination

abstract: This thesis investigates an under-researched and largely ignored area in New Zealand, specifically six young women’s experiences of pregnancy termination in a New Zealand context. The aim of this research is twofold: to investigate the interconnection between intimate relationships and pregnancy terminations, and to describe and analyse the experiences of quality of care provided in New Zealand pregnancy termination settings. 

This research is conducted using a narrative methodology that allows each participant to have their own unique ‘voice’ and to offer valuable and rich insights into their personal experiences of pregnancy termination. Six participants were selected who met the criteria of being under 25 years of age at the time of their terminations. These participants were interviewed individually on three separate occasions using a qualitative semi-structured interview schedule with themes that included life before falling pregnant, culture and religion, intimate relationship pre- and post-termination, intimate relationship education (if any) provided at school, interaction with health professionals, accessibility, experiences on the day of the procedure, and participants’ advice for young women contemplating a termination. 

The findings from this thesis demonstrate a plethora of consequences for intimate relationships and the delivery of quality of care throughout the termination process. In terms of intimate relationships, the dissolution of the ‘honeymoon period’ exacerbated issues for women undergoing terminations. The quality of the relationship was found to be an important contributor to decision-making, particularly when the intimate partner was invited to share this responsibility. Problems arose in those relationships where there were incongruent experiences concerning the termination — for example, when one individual in the relationship was coping but the other was not. Irrespective of the quality of the relationship one key finding is that terminations appear to have a significant negative impact on future relationships. Interestingly, some participants chose to conceal their terminations from future intimate partners when then knew their partners were opposed to pregnancy terminations on ethical grounds. 

This thesis also highlights the considerable barriers to accessing termination clinics because they are located in the main centres and required most participants to travel to these clinics. Many participants struggled to ‘get a foot in the door’ and this often resulted in delayed entry to the service. Participants were aware of the role of the health professionals as the legal gatekeepers to the termination process and this led some to conceal their emotions, further heightening their stress on the day of the termination. The participants’ experiences of simply being a ‘number’ and part of the ‘revolving door’ process contributed towards their negative perceptions about, and experiences of, quality of care. The combination of their desire for but absence of tangibility, coupled with the non-alignment of participants’ expectations with the quality of care service they received, led some participants to have negative experiences of the termination process. 

The narratives that have been offered by the six young women who have had a termination provide valuable insights into, and reflections about, their personal experiences with a legal process that for many New Zealanders still remains ‘behind closed doors’.

text: “Not another patient through the revolving door”: A case study analysis of six women’s experiences with pregnancy terminations in New Zealand. This thesis investigates an under-researched and largely ignored area in New Zealand, specifically six young women’s experiences of pregnancy termination in a New Zealand context. The aim of this research is twofold: to investigate the interconnection between intimate relationships and pregnancy terminations, and to describe and analyse the experiences of quality of care provided in New Zealand pregnancy termination settings. 

This research is conducted using a narrative methodology that allows each participant to have their own unique ‘voice’ and to offer valuable and rich insights into their personal experiences of pregnancy termination. Six participants were selected who met the criteria of being under 25 years of age at the time of their terminations. These participants were interviewed individually on three separate occasions using a qualitative semi-structured interview schedule with themes that included life before falling pregnant, culture and religion, intimate relationship pre- and post-termination, intimate relationship education (if any) provided at school, interaction with health professionals, accessibility, experiences on the day of the procedure, and participants’ advice for young women contemplating a termination. 

The findings from this thesis demonstrate a plethora of consequences for intimate relationships and the delivery of quality of care throughout the termination process. In terms of intimate relationships, the dissolution of the ‘honeymoon period’ exacerbated issues for women undergoing terminations. The quality of the relationship was found to be an important contributor to decision-making, particularly when the intimate partner was invited to share this responsibility. Problems arose in those relationships where there were incongruent experiences concerning the termination — for example, when one individual in the relationship was coping but the other was not. Irrespective of the quality of the relationship one key finding is that terminations appear to have a significant negative impact on future relationships. Interestingly, some participants chose to conceal their terminations from future intimate partners when then knew their partners were opposed to pregnancy terminations on ethical grounds. 

This thesis also highlights the considerable barriers to accessing termination clinics because they are located in the main centres and required most participants to travel to these clinics. Many participants struggled to ‘get a foot in the door’ and this often resulted in delayed entry to the service. Participants were aware of the role of the health professionals as the legal gatekeepers to the termination process and this led some to conceal their emotions, further heightening their stress on the day of the termination. The participants’ experiences of simply being a ‘number’ and part of the ‘revolving door’ process contributed towards their negative perceptions about, and experiences of, quality of care. The combination of their desire for but absence of tangibility, coupled with the non-alignment of participants’ expectations with the quality of care service they received, led some participants to have negative experiences of the termination process. 

The narratives that have been offered by the six young women who have had a termination provide valuable insights into, and reflections about, their personal experiences with a legal process that for many New Zealanders still remains ‘behind closed doors’.

year: 2016

title: A pedagogical tool for science teacher education: Content Representation (CoRe) design

authors: Hume, Anne Christine

subjects: education

abstract: The promotion of reflective practice amongst participants in teacher education programmes (e.g. Bain et al, 1999; Moon, 1999; Loughran & Corrigan, 1995; Shireen et al, 2003; Wallace & Louden, 2003) and the wider teaching community is widely championed for enhancing professional learning and growth.

text: A pedagogical tool for science teacher education: Content Representation (CoRe) design The promotion of reflective practice amongst participants in teacher education programmes (e.g. Bain et al, 1999; Moon, 1999; Loughran & Corrigan, 1995; Shireen et al, 2003; Wallace & Louden, 2003) and the wider teaching community is widely championed for enhancing professional learning and growth.

year: 2010

title: Lake Rotokakahi water quality update 1990-2011

authors: Butterworth, Joseph

subjects: Lake Rotokakahi

abstract: Lake Rotokakahi is an Iwi-owned lake administered by the Lake Rotokakahi Board of Control on Behalf of lake owners who are descendants from the Ngāti Tumatawera and Tūhourangi hapū of Te Arawa. It is mesotrophic (moderate water quality) lake with an area of 4.4 km² comprised of exotic forestry (57.1%), pasture (26.3%) and regenerating indigenous forest/scrub (16.6%).

text: Lake Rotokakahi water quality update 1990-2011 Lake Rotokakahi is an Iwi-owned lake administered by the Lake Rotokakahi Board of Control on Behalf of lake owners who are descendants from the Ngāti Tumatawera and Tūhourangi hapū of Te Arawa. It is mesotrophic (moderate water quality) lake with an area of 4.4 km² comprised of exotic forestry (57.1%), pasture (26.3%) and regenerating indigenous forest/scrub (16.6%).

year: 2012