Unplanned pregnancies among young adult Latinas: The influence of partners, fertility concerns, and individual aspirations

Recognizing that young women in their twenties account for over half of unplanned pregnancies in the US annually, national research efforts have begun to focus on understanding and preventing unplanned pregnancy in this population. To date, little research has focused specifically on young adult Latinas and their partners, who experience higher than average rates of unplanned pregnancy. The current qualitative study explored factors associated with pregnancy during detailed interviews with low-income immigrant and US-born Latina women pregnant with their first child. The interview focused on the role that career and educational goals, attitudes towards and use of contraception, and partner and relationship dynamics played in childbearing decisions. Among the 35 young adults (ages 22 to 31) interviewed, over one-third described their pregnancies as unintended or expressed ambivalence towards the timing and wantedness of the pregnancy. Frequent concerns about fertility directly influenced the contraceptive choices and behaviors of young adult Latinas. These concerns often came in concert with direct or indirect pressure from male partners to have children based on the perceived stability and seriousness of their relationship, or aspirations that having a child would strengthen their relationship. For most, relationship considerations outweighed how an unplanned pregnancy might interfere with their individual career and educational plans, in particular for young women who experienced barriers to education or career attainment. Findings from this study can help inform pregnancy prevention efforts for young adult Latinas, as well as provide direction for future studies exploring unplanned pregnancy in young adulthood.