First-time parents' experiences of home-based postnatal care in Sweden

Abstract

AimTo gain a deeper understanding of first-time parents' experiences of early discharge from hospital after delivery and home-based postnatal care.Material and methodsThe study was comprised of focus group interviews, interviews with couples and with fathers. Twenty-one parents participated. Inclusion criteria: healthy women who have given birth to their first child after a normal pregnancy and delivery, the women's partners, healthy and full term babies, Swedish-speaking, discharge from the delivery ward within 24 hours, resident in the Uppsala community, the parents cohabited at the time of the delivery. The material was analysed by qualitative content analysis.ResultsThree themes emerged: The family's strategy, which describes the family's expectations of postnatal care and their experiences of the real situation. Some are flexible concerning going home early, and others have decided in advance. Self-reliance and strength, which explores the parents' feelings of security and uncertainty, freedom and independence, and shared responsibility. Breast-feeding is described as the ‘main thing’, an interactive learning process. Professional support in the home summarizes the parents' experience of the midwife's support at home. While conflicting feelings may be revealed during the first days, the midwife confirms their new roles as parents. The midwife is seen as a support and adviser to the parents.ConclusionThis study shows that parents welcome home-based postnatal care with professional support from midwives. We conclude that this care suits healthy families. We think it will be more important in the future to discriminate between healthy families and those in need of hospital care, than to focus on the moment when they leave the hospital, early or late.

Intervention among new parents followed up by an interview study exploring their experiences of telemedicine after early postnatal discharge

“…They did not feel that they were disturbing the staff when sending a written message, in comparison with making a synchronous phone call. This has been described in the literature as an issue because new parents are reluctant to contact health-care professionals in case they disturb them, even when they have important questions (Johansson et al, 2010;Danbjørg et al, 2013). Other studies within different specialties have also shown that asynchronous communication can be a way to overcome this barrier.…”

“…Qualitiative studies have shown that new mothers, and their partners, who are discharged early from hospital experience a lack of support, have many doubts and feel insecure (McLachlan et al, 2009;Johansson et al, 2010;Persson et al, 2011;Danbjørg et al, 2013). A sense of security is important as it may influence an individual's journey towards becoming an effective parent.…”

Parents’ experiences of midwifery students providing continuity of care

“…There is a need for greater flexibility in providing early postnatal discharge (McLachlan et al, 2008). Midwifery care in the home environment is rated highly by those women who have access to home-visiting midwifery services (Fereday et al, 2009;Fenwick et al, 2010;Johansson et al, 2010). First-time mothers have expectations about continued contact with the maternity ward staff, i.e.…”

Families with twins - a systematic review

“…5 The transition to parenthood is one of the greatest challenges facing families and the people who compose them. This transition to and experience of parenthood have been the target of several studies, [6][7][8][9][10] which created room for the establishment of interventions by healthcare professionals to promote family health at times such as this that are particularly critical and intense.…”