“Reassurance that you're doing okay, or guidance if you're not”: A qualitative descriptive study of pregnant first time mothers’ expectations and information needs about postnatal care in England

Postnatal care is the aspect of maternity care with which women in England are least satisfied. Little is known about first-time mothers’ expectations of postnatal care, or how these expectations relate to their experiences and appraisal of care. Thirty-two first-time mothers took part in a longitudinal qualitative descriptive study, based on two semi-structured interviews—the first in pregnancy, and the second 2 to 3 months after birth. Trajectory analysis was used to identify the thematic patterns in the relationships between postnatal care expectations, needs, experiences, and confidence. Five trajectories were identified, showing that mothers’ satisfaction with postnatal care and confidence were primarily influenced not by the extent to which their expectations were met but the varied extent to which their individual postnatal needs were met. Rapid and responsive assessment of needs both antenatally and postnatally, and appropriate adjustment of care, is key in supporting women effectively at this time.

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First time mothers’ expectations and experiences of postnatal care in England: a longitudinal qualitative descriptive study

10.21203/rs.2.14438/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Jenny McLeish ◽

Merryl Harvey ◽

Maggie Redshaw ◽

Jane Henderson ◽

Reem Malouf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postnatal Care ◽

Trajectory Analysis ◽

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

Qualitative Descriptive ◽

Birth Centres ◽

First Time ◽

High Support

Abstract Background: Effective postnatal care can support a safe and confident transition to parenthood, but it is the aspect of maternity care with which women in England are least satisfied. Little is known about first time mothers’ expectations of postnatal care in hospitals, in birth centres and in the community, or how these expectations relate to their subsequent experiences and appraisal of care.Methods: A longitudinal qualitative descriptive study, based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews with first time mothers in England. Each mother took part in two interviews: the first in her third trimester of pregnancy, and the second when her baby was 2-3 months old. Interview transcripts were analysed using trajectory analysis to identify thematic patterns in the relationships between postnatal care expectations, needs, experiences and confidence. Individual cases were chosen to illustrate each trajectory and the variation within trajectories.Results: 32 women took part. Expectations of postnatal care did not shape their appraisal of care as actually experienced. Instead the main influence on satisfaction with care and self-described parental confidence was the extent to which their actual postnatal needs for support were met. Five trajectories were identified: (1) ‘Low needs, low support, confident’, (2) ‘High needs, high support, confident’, (3) ‘High needs, low support, not confident’, (4) ‘High needs, high support, additional risk factors, not confident’, (5) ‘High needs, low support, additional protective factors, confident’.Conclusions: Longitudinal qualitative research using trajectory analysis is a useful and feasible method of exploring expectations and subsequent experiences in the perinatal period. First time mothers’ satisfaction with postnatal care and their confidence as new mothers were primarily influenced not by the extent to which their expectations were met, but the varied extent to which their postnatal needs were met. Rapid and responsive assessment of needs both antenatally and postnatally, and appropriate adjustment of care, is key in supporting women effectively at this time. Providing tailored information on postnatal care, self-care and transition to parenthood during pregnancy may facilitate improvements in women’s experiences of care after birth in the hospital and community.

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Barriers to first time parent groups: A qualitative descriptive study

Nursing and Health Sciences ◽

10.1111/nhs.12536 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 464-471 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Norma Barrett ◽

Lisa Hanna ◽

Owen Vincent Fitzpatrick

Keyword(s):

Descriptive Study ◽

Parent Groups ◽

Qualitative Descriptive ◽

First Time

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“r/Thritis”, Pregnancy, and Parenting: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Reddit Forums to Explore Information Needs and Concerns of Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis

ACR Open Rheumatology ◽

10.1002/acr2.11069 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (8) ◽

pp. 485-492 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Caitlin Chew ◽

Nevena Rebić ◽

Corisande Baldwin ◽

Neda Amiri ◽

Laurie Proulx ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Information Needs ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Qualitative Descriptive

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Pediatric acute gastroenteritis: understanding caregivers’ experiences and information needs

CJEM ◽

10.1017/cem.2016.363 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 198-206 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lauren Albrecht ◽

Lisa Hartling ◽

Shannon D. Scott

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Utilization ◽

Acute Gastroenteritis ◽

Information Needs ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Major Theme ◽

Pediatric Age ◽

Urban Centre ◽

Qualitative Descriptive

ABSTRACTObjectivesPediatric acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common condition with high health care utilization, persistent practice variation, and substantial family burden. An initial approach to resolve these issues is to understand the patient/caregiver experience of this illness. The objective of this study was to describe caregivers’ experiences of pediatric AGE and identify their information needs, preferences, and priorities.MethodsA qualitative, descriptive study was conducted. Caregivers of a child with AGE were recruited for this study in the pediatric emergency department (ED) at a tertiary hospital in a major urban centre. Individual interviews were conducted (n=15), and a thematic analysis of interview transcripts was completed using a hybrid inductive/deductive approach.ResultsFive major themes were identified and described: 1) caregiver management strategies; 2) reasons for going to the ED; 3) treatment and management of AGE in the ED; 4) caregivers’ information needs; and 5) additional factors influencing caregivers’ experiences and decision-making. A number of subthemes within each major theme were identified and described.ConclusionsThis qualitative descriptive study has identified caregiver information needs, preferences, and priorities regarding pediatric AGE. This study also identified inconsistencies in the treatment and management of pediatric AGE at home and in the ED that influence health care utilization and patient outcomes related to pediatric AGE.

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Health literacy and the information needs and dilemmas of first-time mothers over 35 years

Journal of Clinical Nursing ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.01600.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 1162-1172 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Mary Carolan

Keyword(s):

Health Literacy ◽

Information Needs ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

First Time

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The complex information needs of disadvantaged young first-time mothers: insights into multiplicity of needs

Journal of Documentation ◽

10.1108/jd-07-2019-0142 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 76 (6) ◽

pp. 1135-1153 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Steven Buchanan ◽

Cara Jardine

Keyword(s):

Personal Development ◽

Information Needs ◽

Simultaneous Occurrence ◽

Young Mothers ◽

Major Life ◽

Content Type ◽

Complex Needs ◽

Complex Information ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

First Time

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to holistically explore the information needs of socioeconomically disadvantaged young first-time mothers and associated issues of complexity.Design/methodology/approachThis paper used survey and semi-structured field interviews with 39 young mothers (aged 15–23) from UK areas of multiple deprivations.FindingsParticipants reported multiple and complex needs spanning interrelated topics of parenting, poverty and personal development. In the majority of instances, participants were either unsure of their ability to meet their needs or needed help with needs, and several described situations of considerable anxiety and stress. Multiplicity is identified and conceptualised as an important factor contributing to complexity, including three component elements: simultaneous occurrence of needs (concurrency), relationships between needs (interconnectivity) and evolving needs (fluidity). In various combinations, these elements influenced a mother's actions and/or ability to selectively attend to needs, with multiple needs often competing for attention, and compounding issues of cognitive load and affect.Research limitations/implicationsThis study draws attention to multiplicity of needs as an understudied topic within human information behaviour and calls for further research into how people recognise and attend to complex needs and influencing factors.Practical implicationsThis study raises important questions regarding how we approach complexity of information needs in our design and delivery of information systems and services.Originality/valueEvidences disadvantaged young mothers to have more extensive and complex information needs than previously understood, and identifies and conceptualised multiplicity as an important factor contributing to the complexity of information needs during major life transitions such as motherhood.

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Periodic Information-seeking Behaviors of First-time Mothers in China

Libri ◽

10.1515/libri-2018-0078 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 263-274

Author(s):

Yinxia Hu ◽

Ping Ke

Keyword(s):

Information Search ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Information Needs ◽

Information Source ◽

Source Selection ◽

Information Demand ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

Key Factor ◽

Information Seeking Behaviors ◽

First Time

Abstract First-time mothers have a unique and varied set of information needs, but at present, these needs are seldom adequately addressed by libraries in China. As a first step in making libraries more helpful to this group, this study reports the results of a series of interviews aimed at understanding new mothers’ current information seeking behaviors. Thirty-seven first-time mothers (children from first year of birth to six years of age) took part in semi-structured in-depth interviews, answering questions about their information demand, information source selection (and factors influencing this selection), and obstacles encountered in the process of information search. It was found that first-time mothers’ information-seeking behavior varies from stage to stage, e. g. between pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. Internet search plays an important role because of its perceived convenience and accessibility, but trust is the key factor during the process of information selection, regardless of source. Overall, the mothers we interviewed seldom use the library. This paper puts forward some suggestions to remedy that situation: libraries might consider opening a first-time-mothers reading room, increasing cooperative promotions with other institutions, providing diversified service projects, and organizing reading-promotion activities for first-time mothers at different stages. If implemented, these suggestions promise to help mothers navigate the transitions of pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

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A qualitative study on perceptions of first time mothers about breastfeeding

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20182546 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 1457

Author(s):

Kanai Lal Barik ◽

Uttam Kumar Paul

Keyword(s):

Breast Milk ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Middle Part ◽

Medical College ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Life Saving ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

Qualitative Descriptive ◽

First Time ◽

Depth Interviews

Background: Breastfeeding is the easiest, cost effective and most successful intervention and the most effective life-saving interventions for the health of the newborn. In spite of profound beneficial effects of breast milk, breastfeeding rates in India are abnormally low. There is lack of qualitative data regarding breastfeeding in India. So, we have planned to assess the perceptions of first time mothers about breastfeeding at this middle part of Bengal.Methods: The study was conducted in the Pediatric department of Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan, West Bengal. The study was one of qualitative descriptive types involving in depth interviews (IDI) of 21 first time mothers. The interviews were translated into English transcripts which were then analysed to find out suitable codes and categories.Results: The results of the in-depth interviews of the 21 first time mothers could be divided into seven categories and each of which is further divided into several codes. The categories are: Reaction of mother, inadequate breast milk, breast milk causing ailments of the baby, erroneous idea about breastfeeding, lack of time, lack of privacy and breast milk is best for my baby.Conclusions: In this present study we have applied qualitative in-depth interview approach and able to find out different reasons of non-continuation of breastfeeding among the first-time mothers. Though they have to face challenges regarding continuation of breastfeeding but most of them felt that breastfeeding is best for their baby.

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The everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers

Journal of Documentation ◽

10.1108/jd-06-2014-0080 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 24-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Katherine Loudon ◽

Steven Buchanan ◽

Ian Ruthven

Keyword(s):

Everyday Life ◽

Support Groups ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Information Needs ◽

Information Overload ◽

Content Type ◽

The Everyday ◽

First Time Mothers ◽

Everyday Life Information Seeking ◽

First Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the everyday life information seeking behaviours of first-time mothers, as they encounter new, significant and pressing information needs which arise alongside their new responsibilities. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach combined narrative interviews with participatory methods to facilitate engagement and remain sensitive to the social context. Findings – Mothers particularly valued the experiential nature of information received from peers or family members. However, fear of judgement influenced their use of interpersonal sources, both on- and off-line. Their accounts of information seeking contained instances of confusion, tension, conflict and information overload. Feeling under pressure to be “good mothers”, they withheld information needs from others, including healthcare professionals. Research limitations/implications – There was a notable absence of younger ( < 20 year old) and/or less educated mothers in the study. This corresponds to previous findings which report that very young mothers are reluctant to participate in support groups with older mothers. They remain an understudied and potentially marginalised group. Practical implications – The findings show how social support groups can mitigate for societal pressures which impact upon mothers’ information behaviour, allowing them to connect and share information within a trusted environment. The study highlights the importance of healthcare and information services professionals remaining sensitive to such pressures. Relatedly, the finding that public libraries are used very little has implications for audience engagement and service provision. Originality/value – Focused upon first-time mothers’ information behaviours during the early stages of parenthood, the study provides insight into how relationships and experiences with others influence information seeking behaviours. It provides evidence that fear of judgement can influence information seeking behaviour, helping us to understand why some information sources, although considered important and useful, can be used very little.

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