Do demographic and obstetric characteristics affect fetal health locus of control among high-risk pregnancies? A Turkish sample.

Objectives Fetal health locus of control has been indicated to effect how mothers approach their health beliefs and health-related decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine the fetal health locus of control (FHLC) level in high-risk pregnancies and to evaluate the factors affecting FHLC in high-risk pregnancies. Materials and Methods The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with highrisk pregnant women. A total of 221 participants were included. Results and Discussion It was shown that The Internality Locus of Control was low and The Chance-Based Locus of Control was high in high-risk pregnant women. The current age of women and the age of their first pregnancy had a positively relationship with Powerful Others Locus of Control (FHLC-P). Although FHLC scores of multigravidas were higher than primiparous, no significant difference was found. Besides, there was a significantly higher FHLC-C score in women who did not change their exercise habits during pregnancy (p=0.008). Although the FHLC-I score was higher in women, who made changes in nutrition habits, it was determined that it was not significant. Conclusion The results of fetal health locus of control in high-risk pregnancies will lead to women who have high-risk pregnancies taking responsibility for adapting to the treatment process, taking into account the controls and making lifestyle changes, rather than leaving the situation to fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]