Women's views of their postnatal care by midwives at an Adelaide Women's Hospital.
OBJECTIVE
to determine the characteristics of a sample of women giving birth in one hospital in South Australia and these women's perceptions of the usefulness of the advice and care that they were given during the puerperium


METHODS
survey using questionnaires, incorporating Lipsett's (1984) questions, administered before the women left hospital and at six weeks postdelivery.


METHODS
one hospital in South Australia.


METHODS
a sample of convenience of 235 women completed the hospital questionnaire and 222 (95%) returned the six weeks postpartum questionnaire.


RESULTS
the women's ages ranged from 17-44 years, 86% were living in a stable relationship and 42% were primiparous. Most women (74%) made comments on the helpfulness of midwives. The midwife provided emotional support (57%), answered questions (32%) and gave information (30%). However, midwives' attitudes were perceived as insensitive (18%) and judgemental (9%). Midwives gave conflicting advice (10%) and 40% of the women made one or more comments about midwife unhelpfulness. Sixteen per cent of the women made no comment on the helpfulness of the midwife.


CONCLUSIONS
contact with midwives in the early postnatal period is an ideal time for helpful advice and support to be given but midwives are not always perceived as fulfilling this part of their role. There is a need to address the issue of conflicting advice.
Stamp
G E
GE
Crowther
C A
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009721:Nurse Midwives / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013021:South Australia