Women's views and experiences of postnatal hospital care in the Victorian Survey of Recent Mothers 2000.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the views and experiences of postnatal hospital care of a representative sample of Victorian women who gave birth in Victoria, Australia, in 1999.


METHODS
Postal survey sent to women 5-6 months after giving birth.


METHODS
Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
1616 women who gave birth in Victoria in a 2-week period in September 1999.


RESULTS
50.8% of women described their postnatal care in hospital as 'very good'. After adjusting for parity, method of birth, length of stay, model of care and socio-demographic characteristics, specific aspects of care with the greatest negative impact on the overall rating of postnatal care were as follows: midwives perceived as rushed and too busy (adjusted OR = 4.59 [95% CI 3.4-6.1]), doctors and midwives perceived as not 'always' sensitive and understanding (adjusted OR = 3.88 [2.8-5.5]), support and advice about going home not 'very helpful' (adjusted OR = 3.18 [2.3-4.5]), help and advice about baby feeding not 'extremely helpful' (adjusted OR = 3.27 [2.1-5.1]), not being given advice about baby feeding (adjusted OR = 2.84 [1.2-6.9]). Staying in hospital only 1-2 days (adjusted OR=2.00 [1.2-3.4]), and not knowing any of the midwives in the postnatal ward (adjusted OR = 1.80 [1.3-2.4]) were also associated with less positive ratings of postnatal hospital care.


CONCLUSIONS
The 2000 Survey shows that women rate early postnatal care in hospital far less favourably than care in pregnancy, labour and birth. The findings indicate that interactions with caregivers are a major influence on women's overall rating of postnatal hospital care. Acting on these findings requires a greater focus on communication and listening skills, attention to staffing levels, and leadership promoting more women-centred care in postnatal wards.
Brown
Stephanie J
SJ
Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University, 251 Faraday Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, 3053. stephanie.brown@latrobe.edu.au
Davey
Mary-Ann
MA
Bruinsma
Fiona J
FJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008880:Midwifery; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014739:Victoria