The Lived Experience of the African American
Pregnancy that Ends in Preterm Birth

The purpose of this study was to grasp the essential meaning or themes of the lived experience of the African American pregnancies that end in preterm birth in order to provide an understanding of these experiences as they relate to the phenomenon of preterm birth. That purpose was realized by rigorously employing the phenomenological methodology that permitted obtaining the lived experiences of the study participants as only they could report. From an examination of the existing knowledge in the literature, specific concepts were reviewed that emphasize intergenerational influences on participants. These three concepts, memes, Intergenerational Transmission (IGT) of Parenting, and Intergenerational Epigenetic Inheritance (IGEI) closely aligned with the themes that emerged from the study.

These three concepts provide a glimpse of the possible complexities which may surround the African American pregnancy, as they are closely aligned with the identified themes: “Strong Black Woman Ideal,” and “Feeling Trapped.” This study provided direction for fruitful research regarding how the lived experiences of one generation may impact future generations.

Clarise H. Ottley, PhD, RN, CNS, CCE, graduate of Shepherd University in 1991 with an ASN degree in Nursing. She is currently a tenured Assistant Professor at Shepherd University in the Department of Nursing Education. She received her PhD in Nursing from Duquesne University in 2009. Her Dissertation title: "The Lived Experience of the African American Pregnancy that Ends in Preterm Birth.” She was recently chosen as one of five Protégés out of 70 applicants across the nation, by the National League for Nursing/Johnson and Johnson Faculty Leadership and Mentoring Program, 2010-2011. This program is designed to use mentoring as a method of enhancing participants' leadership skills in their role as teacher, scholar, clinician, and nursing education community member. She also received the award of Distinguished Chair/Professor in nursing for 2007-2010, for her commitment to the goal of establishing innovations in nursing education, willingness to share ideas and experiences with a variety of health care providers, and commitment to the missions of City Hospital and the Department of Nursing at Shepherd University.