Satisfaction with Postpartum Care: Opportunities for Bonding, Reconstructing the Birth and Instruction

Abstract

The declining length of postpartum stay in hospitals has made it more difficult for staff to provide the kind of care recommended in the nursing literature. This study examines the association between satisfaction with care and three clinical procedures-parent-infant bonding, reconstructing birth events and instruction in care of self and baby.Data taken from an Arizona statewide survey of women who recently gave birth indicated little dissatisfaction with care. However, contingency table analysis revealed that level of satisfaction is associated with the provision of opportunities for parent-infant bonding, review of birthing experience and instruction in care of mother and newborn. Strategies for increasing level of satisfaction are discussed. (Birth Fam J 8:3, Fall 1981) In the last 50 years postpartum care in the United States has undergone a radical change. Before World War I1 women spent 10 days in a hospital bed following a vaginal delivery. After the War the average stay decreased to about six days. While a shorter stay was desired by many women, it also was necessitated by a critical shortage of beds during the postwar "baby boom." Currently most hospitals offer package plans incorporating a 24-to 48hour postpartum stay and some hospitals discharge low-risk women and newborns within two to 12 hours.

Patient participation in alternative perinatal care: Impact on satisfaction and health locus of control

“…The conclusions drawn from the analysis of data related to satisfaction with care make theoretical and practical sense and are consistent with the literature. Several researchers reported that satisfaction was related to participation in care (Davenport-Slack & Boylan, 1974; Humenick & Buegen, 1981;Kieffer, 1980;Sullivan & Beeman, 1981), birthing room environment (Schmidt, 1980), and nursing care (Schmidt, 1980;Shields, 1978). Maintenance of family integrity also was an important component of satisfaction (Kieffer, 1980;Scaer & Korte, 1978;Schmidt, 1980;Sullivan & Beeman, 1980).…”

“…The one comparative study of an alternative in-hospital birth experience and conventional care did not examine satisfaction or the women's psychological experience although the better outcomes in the alternative group were attributed to women's "attitudes" (Goodlin, 1980). Studies reported in the literature (Davenport-Slack & Boylan, 1974;Humenick & Bugen, 1981;Scaer & Korte, 1978;Shields, 1978;Sullivan & Beeman, 1981) suggested that participation in care, quality nursing care, and family togetherness are associated with patient satisfaction. Likewise, two researchers (Kieffer, 1980;Schmidt, 1980) found similar factors influence patient satisfaction in their study of birthing rooms.…”

Women’s-Perceived Quality In Postpartum Care

“…The explanation as to why women in the two models differed on these items is unclear but may be related to an overall perception of quality and satisfaction The sixth and seventh items for which women differed between the groups were family involvement and adaptation of routines to their wishes; because both of these items are also strongly characteristic of FCPPC, the higher quality scores for the family-centered group was anticipated. Sullivan and Beeman (1981) also found that flexibility in routines resulted in higher satisfaction scores for postpartum women. In addition, they reported that over seventy percent of respondents wanted more involvement from significant others.…”

“…First, Sullivan & Beeman (1981) examined the relationship between satisfaction of postpartum women and infant bonding. Only 57% were very satisfied.…”

“…Three studies were located that have examined women's satisfaction with postpartum nursing (Sullivan & Beeman, 1981;Littlefield & Adams, 1987;Waldenstrom et al,1993). First, Sullivan & Beeman (1981) examined the relationship between satisfaction of postpartum women and infant bonding.…”