Master of Applied Health Services Research, thesis defence presented by Madeline Kuiper on March 27, 9:00 am, AVC, Room 286C.

Title of the Thesis: "Inconveniencing the Institution”: An Interpretive Exploration of Pregnancy Experiences of Royal Canadian Navy Service Members"

Abstract: Pregnancy is a significant life event that impacts an individual’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. While common, pregnancy presents unique challenges for those in professions like the military. The experience of pregnancy in the military context remains underexplored.

This study aimed to explore the experiences of Royal Canadian Navy members who were pregnant while serving. Semi structured interviews were conducted with ten participants, allowing them to reflect on their pregnancies and interactions with the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, chain of command, and institutional structures. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and de-identified.

The data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative methodology emphasizing personal meaning-making. IPA’s phenomenological, hermeneutic, and idiographic approach enabled a deep exploration of how participants navigated pregnancy within the RCN’s cultural and operational framework.

This study identified three key group experiential themes: 1) shaping an internal locus of control, 2) exposure to external locus of control, and 3) identifying as an imposition to the institution. Participants described balancing professional duties with personal well-being, systemic policy challenges, and interpersonal dynamics in their chain of command. Many also shared strategies for asserting agency within a male-dominated organization.

Findings highlight the need for improved institutional policies and cultural shifts to support pregnant service members, fostering inclusivity and equity in operational environments. This research contributes to military health services literature by offering practical recommendations for creating supportive workplaces for pregnant personnel. 

Everyone is welcome.