Postpartum learning needs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the methodological differences of postpartum learning needs studies and organize them for comparison with similar studies.


METHODS
Computerized literature searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Health Star databases.


METHODS
Reports published in English before 2003 and relevant to the keywords concerns, needs, interests, worries, priorities, postpartum, teaching, and learning.


METHODS
Data were extracted and information organized according to subject parity, maternal self-care content, infant care content, length of data collection, and week of the postpartum period.


RESULTS
Stitches, episiotomy, and postpartum complications were the most important maternal care learning needs during the first 3 postpartum days, and feeding and illness were the most important infant care learning needs during the first 7 postpartum days.


CONCLUSIONS
More studies are needed to fill the postpartum learning needs research gaps, build on the findings of previous studies, and produce clinically useful information for practicing nurses.
Bowman
Katherine G
KG
The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, Austin, Texas 78701-1499, USA. kbowman@mail.nur.utexas.edu
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000379:methods; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D012107:Research Design; D012648:Self Care