Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SniP): a population based analysis of the mothers' quality of life after delivery with special relations to their social integration.
OBJECTIVE
Women's overall quality of life prior to delivery and the changes expected by the mothers within the near future have been analyzed addressing items like employment, finances, housing and relationships to family, friends and neighbours.


METHODS
Population based women were asked to answer a questionnaire (Survey of Neonates in Pomerania - SNIP) during their stay at the hospital after delivery. The area studied is North-East Germany.


RESULTS
The study included 1553 women with 1122 questionnaires (72.3%) analyzed. Positive assessment concerning the quality of life was observed in 91.2% without expecting serious worsening after delivery. Negative assessments were found within the categories employment (23.3%) and finances (26.3%). Worsening was expected within employment (34%), finances (52.1%) and shortening of spare time (39.6%). Within all other categories no changes or even an improvement after delivery were expected. The overall assessment was correlated to the mothers' social relationship.


CONCLUSIONS
Most women stated their own quality of life as positive, none expected serious worsening. Employment, finances and social bindings are factors with strong relationship on the mothers' self-assessment.
Beyersdorff
Anke
A
University of Greifswald, Div. of General Pediatrics & Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care. ab030391@uni-greifswald.de
Hoffmann
Wolfgang
W
Lingnau
Marie Luise
ML
Ebner
Arno
A
Fusch
Christoph
C
Haas
Johannes Peter
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires