Change in Maternal Concerns During the 6 Weeks Postpartum Period: A Study of Primiparous Mothers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

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.

Joy, struggle and support: Postpartum experiences of first-time mothers in a Tanzanian suburb

“…10 One area of mothers' concern during postpartum includes the need for information on general health, baby behaviour, and baby care. [11][12][13] Infant crying is another problem described by Tanzanian mothers 13 and is associated with tiredness and fatigue. 12 Exclusive breastfeeding is rarely practised by Tanzanian mothers 14 and combining breastfeeding with different motherhood roles and employment is complex and challenging.…”

“…12 Exclusive breastfeeding is rarely practised by Tanzanian mothers 14 and combining breastfeeding with different motherhood roles and employment is complex and challenging. 15,16 An increase in workload, 3 tiredness and fatigue [11][12][13]17 are reported. Sexual life after childbirth is another area of concern for new mothers, 13 fathers, 18 and midwives providing health education and counselling to new parents.…”

“…15,16 An increase in workload, 3 tiredness and fatigue [11][12][13]17 are reported. Sexual life after childbirth is another area of concern for new mothers, 13 fathers, 18 and midwives providing health education and counselling to new parents. 19 Antenatal care (ANC) is attended at least once by 94% of pregnant women in Tanzania, but 43% deliver out of health facilities, of which only 13% have a postnatal check up.…”

Preocupações de mães e pais, na gravidez, parto e pós-parto

“…Os motivos que suscitam as preocupações parentais na gravidez e no pós-parto são distintos (Ohman, Grunewald, & Waldenstrom, 2003;Hiser, 1987;Lugina, Christensson, Massawe, Nystrom, & Lindmark, 2001) e assumem uma tendência de variação semelhante em mulheres e homens. Os resultados obtidos na presente investigação apontam para um decréscimo na globalidade das preocupações maternas e paternas ao longo dos últimos meses de gravidez e primeiros meses do puerpério, em particular as que se relacionam com o domínio familiar e interpessoal e a actual gravidez, apesar da estabilidade temporal que se observou nas preocupações relativas ao domínio económico-social, profissional, educacional, aceitação da actual gravidez e áreas não especificadas.…”

“…Hiser, 1987;Lugina, Christensson, Massawe, Nystrom, & Lindmark, 2001). Lugina e colaboradores (2001), num estudo envolvendo 79 mães, observaram, ao longo das primeiras seis semanas do puerpério, uma tendência para o decréscimo das preocupações e um aumento do interesse e da confiança relativamente a aspectos relacionados com o bebé e com o papel parental.…”