| Summary: | The experience of pregnancy and becoming a mother is largely influenced by socio-cultural background. However, many studies on this transition have been carried out in western populations and knowledge of the experience of pregnancy and motherhood has been conceptualised on the basis of evidence from these studies. The aim of the study was to explore the extent to which culture shapes the experiences of pregnancy in Sunderland and Tashkent women from a woman's perspective. Ten women from Sunderland and ten from Tashkent, aged 18-22 years and in their first pregnancies, were interviewed at 12-14 and 34-36 weeks into their pregnancies. In-depth data analysis was carried out from the perspectives of the participants via Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four themes emerged during the data an'alysis, namely becoming pregnant, becoming a mother, being pregnant and social support. Sunderland women were not yet prepared to become mothers and had difficulty identifying themselves with the motherhood roIEL' The majority of Sunderland women expressed a desire to continue smoking and drinking after becoming pregnant. Worry about labour pain was a major concern, as were fears over loss of jobs and financial worries. Sunderland women were generally satisfied with the support available during pregnancy. Reluctance in obtaining support from professionals was associated with perceiving health professionals as prejudiced against young mothers. Friends were the most valued source of support. Tashkent women were highly motivated towards becoming pregnant. Worries related to their babies' well-being predominated over worries about their own health and undergoing labour. The Uzbek imperative of having at least one male child led to women worrying about their child's gender. The most valued source of support was from their own mothers. The study demonstrated that culture shapes how women identify with the role of a mother and is key in developing attitudes towards pregnancy and unborn babies and plays a major role in influencing well-being and social support throughout pregnancy.
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