Mothers’ Use of Knowledge During the First Postpartum Weeks

Learning to Be a Normal Mother: Empowerment and Pedagogy in Postpartum Classes

“…The apparent need for postpartum support groups is based partly on research findings documented in the literature that support the hypothesis that the transition into motherhood/parenthood involves some degree of crisis or difficulty (Briggs, 1979; Cronenwett, 1980; Dooley et al., 1983; Gorrie, 1986; Kline et al., 1991; Ventura, 1987; Young, 1988). This time of crisis may include a variety of problems such as anxiety (Fleming, Ruble, Flett, & Wagner, 1990; Gorrie, 1986; Hrobsky, 1977) depressed mood (Fleming et al., 1990; Gorrie, 1986), stress (Kline et al., 1991), depression (Gotlib, Whifen, Mount, Milne, & Cordy, 1989; True‐Soderstrom, Buckwalter, & Kerfoot, 1983), feelings of inadequacy with regard to parenting skills (Gorrie, 1986; Rothenberg, 1983), lack of knowledge about baby care (Bull & Lawrence, 1985; Gorrie, 1986; Rothenberg, 1983; Young, 1988), emotional concerns (Bull & Lawrence, 1985; Rothenberg, 1983) isolation (Dooley et al., 1983; Perdue, Horowitz, & Herz, 1977; Rossiter, 1988; Young, 1988), low self‐esteem (Dooley et al., 1983), lack of confidence (Young, 1988) and detachment from one's infant (Gorrie, 1986). It was found that postpartum groups were able to alleviate some of these problems by providing support and information to new mothers (Combs‐Orme, Reis, & Ward, 1985; Cronenwett, 1980; Curtrona & Troutman, 1986; Dooley et al., 1983; Rothenberg, 1983; Health for All Ontario, 1987; Young, 1988).…”

Creating Paths: Living With a Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infant

“…Supportive intervention can assist parents to accept their premature infant and their situation (Ross, 1984;Shwartz,1981;Mercer, 1977). Parents who are most successful at adapting to the birth of a premature infant are those who express their feelings openly, have adequate support systems and are "informed" parents (Bull & Lawrence, 1985;Leahy,Cobb, & Jones, 1977). Health care providers play a major role in helping parents with premature infants to cope.…”

Mothers' Perceptions of Their NICU Experience 1 and 7 Months After Discharge

“…Parents' perceived relevance of issues such as basic caretaking or support services also may affect whether they hear information when it is offered or whether they ask for it. Although staff members may perceive information to be relevant to families at discharge, the family may not appreciate it until the need for the information arises (Bull & Lawrence, 1985). Given the retrospective nature of this interview, mothers may have rated information needs as important 1 month after discharge that they may not have regarded as important or relevant at discharge.…”

“…When the critical stage has passed, parents become significantly more involved in their child's caregiving. Meanwhile, their need and interest in information about their child's care, growth, and development increases (Bull & Lawrence, 1985).…”

“…The need for emotional support and for information may differ over the course of the infant's stay in the NICU and may depend on the stage of hospitalization (Bull & Lawrence, 1985). At least two stages characterize the NICU hospitalization: the critical stage and the growing stage.…”