Change in maternal concerns during the 6 weeks postpartum period: a study of primiparous mothers in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
✍ Scribed by Helen I Lugina; Kyllike Christensson; Siriel Massawe; Lennarth Nystrom; Gunilla Lindmark
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2001
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 66 KB
- Volume
- 46
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 1526-9523
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
The purpose of this study was to describe the postpartum concerns of primiparas. A cohort study included 79 mothers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Mothers sorted topics into worry, interest, and confidence. Trends of decreasing worry and increasing interest and confidence for baby-related and mother-related topics were observed from 1 to 6 weeks. At 1 week mothers worried about baby's eyes, respiration, temperature, safety, and crying; but, at 6 weeks only crying was a problem. Need for information was constant about general health, baby behavior, and care of the baby. At 1 week mothers worried about swollen perineum, and feeling tired and nervous. They wanted information about preventing hemorrhage and infection and taking care of the perineum, breasts, and nipples. Trends of increasing worry and decreasing confidence were observed with respect to family relationships. At 6 weeks, mothers worried about the husband/partner's reaction to themselves and to the baby. Confidence in relatives' reaction to themselves and the baby decreased. Being aware of the changes in the way concerns are expressed may guide nursing/midwifery interventions for mothers as to the content and timing.