Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the lived experiences of pregnant women diagnosed with a fetal abnormality by examining their everyday lives. Taking Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology as the study's philosophical base, data was analyzed according to Pollio's Phenomenological Approach, the framework previously used by Thomas. The results showed four themes in women's experience: “a feeling of safety derived from carrying a child,” “a sense of burden in meeting public expectations,” “a sense of connection/disconnection with other people,” and “feeling a separate sense of time with a child.” Pregnant women experienced a sense of safety by feeling a child's existence within, and a sense of comfort in being with other children. Also, through daily interactions, mothers learned about differences between their own and other people's values: this gave them a dual sense of loneliness and belonging. Their everyday experience while pregnant taught them about the society norms to which they have to adapt after going through the positive and negative aspects of their pregnancy.
