Health and Social Care in the Community 8(4), 235–241 © 2000 Blackwell Science Ltd 235 Abstract It is widely acknowledged that many women prefer to receive their antenatal care in the community. This paper explores one explanation for why this may be the case. The paper is based on a qualitative study of 19 primagravidae, aged between 16 and 30 years, who were interviewed using the technique of repeated in-depth interviewing. The aim of the research was to explore the relationship between women’s experiences of pregnancy and the maintenance of self-identity during this time. The research findings indicate that the relationship between the midwife and her antenatal patient can foster both a sense of similarity to others and a sense of personal uniqueness, which appear essential to the maintenance of self-identity during pregnancy. Good communication seems to be an essential tool for the community midwife, as it allows patients to normalise their experiences and yet feel that their experiences of pregnancy are unique. The findings indicate that continuity of care may be important in fostering a sense of similarity to others and that continuity of carer may be required to ensure uniqueness. Keywords: antenatal care, communication, community midwifery, self- identity, similarity, uniqueness Accepted for publication 3 February 2000 Blackwell Science, Ltd Pregnancy and the maintenance of self-identity: implications for antenatal care in the community Sarah Earle BA (Hons) PhD Lecturer in Health Sociology & Policy, School of Health & Policy Studies, Faculty of Health & Community Care, University of Central England, Perry Barr, Birmingham UK Correspondence Sarah Earle Lecturer in Health Sociology & Policy School of Health & Policy Studies Faculty of Health & Community Care University of Central England Perry Barr Birmingham B42 2SU UK E-mail: sarah.earle@tesco.net and sarah.earle@uce.ac.uk Introduction This paper explores the relationship between the nature of antenatal care and the maintenance of a woman’s self-identity during pregnancy. Self-identity has been conceptualised in distinct ways although it is generally agreed that self-identity is constructed vis à vis others. In particular, this paper focuses on the relationship between the community midwife and her patient, and the way in which this relationship enables women to maintain a coherent self-identity during this time. The fact that the majority of women prefer their antenatal care to be in the community has already been established (Perkins & Unell 1997). However, this paper attempts to develop one explanation for why this may be the case. Drawing on a series of repeated, in-depth interviews with 19 primagravidae, this paper explores the way in which antenatal care in the com- munity allows women to maintain both a sense of uniqueness and similarity to other pregnant women. Methods This paper draws on a qualitative study of women’s experiences of pregnancy and childbirth conducted in May 1995, the aim of which was to explore the relation- ship between their experiences and the maintenance of self-identity. In order to recruit respondents to the study, 14 antenatal clinics in the Midlands were contacted and asked for their co-operation. After receiving appro- priate ethical approval from the Hospital Medical Ethics Committee, 12 clinics agreed to participate. Women were approached whilst they were waiting for their antenatal appointment and were invited to participate