Challenges faced by new mothers in the early postpartum period: an analysis of comment data from the 2000 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) survey.
OBJECTIVE
To identify challenges that women face 2-9 months postpartum using qualitative data gathered by the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).


METHODS
PRAMS is an on-going population-based surveillance system that collects self-reported information on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and after the birth of a live infant. We analyzed free text comment data from women in 10 states who answered the PRAMS survey in 2000. Preliminary analysis included a review of the comment data to identify major themes and a demographic comparison of women who commented (n = 3,417) versus women who did not (n = 12,497). Subsequent analysis included systematic coding of the data from 324 women that commented about postpartum concerns and evaluation to ensure acceptable levels of reliability among coders.


RESULTS
We identified the following major themes, listed in order of frequency: (1) need for social support, (2) breastfeeding issues, (3) lack of education about newborn care after discharge, (4) need for help with postpartum depression, (5) perceived need for extended postpartum hospital stay, and (6) need for maternal insurance coverage beyond delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
The themes identified indicate that new mothers want more social support and education and that some of their concerns relate to policies regarding breastfeeding and medical care. These results can be used to inform programs and policies designed to address education and continuity of postpartum care for new mothers.
Kanotra
Sarojini
S
Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA. Sarojini.Kanotra@louisvilleky.gov
D'Angelo
Denise
D
Phares
Tanya M
TM
Morrow
Brian
B
Barfield
Wanda D
WD
Lansky
Amy
A
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019052:Depression, Postpartum; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007348:Insurance, Health; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States