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The rapid progress of medicine has promoted the ability to deal with high-risk pregnancies. Women choose to go through difficult and sometimes painful treatments, and even consenting to bed rest for a long period of time during pregnancy in order to have a child. The treatment of bed rest is controversial. The research reveals the full complexity of the high- risk pregnancy experience by examining it from the perspective of the women themselves both those cared for at home and those cared for in the hospital. This approach made it possible to identify whether there are differences between the two groups and hence to propose models of care. Nurses require a thorough understanding of the personal experience of their patients, as well as a comprehensive theoretical background, in order to enhance care management. Using the knowledge contributed by this study and identifying the stressors and personal resources may help nurses improve the quality of care in order to reduce sources of stress and mobilise social support networks for high-risk pregnant women. This book proposes models of care for each setting, as developed from the data.

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Ofra Halperin RN PhD is a midwife, researcher and a lecturer at the Nursing Department at Emek-Yezreel Academic College, Israel. An expert in women´s health, focusing on high risk pregnancy and birth. Head of the research committee of the Israeli midwives organization.

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