title: Changes in perceived health status, physical symptoms, and sleep satisfaction of postpartum women over time.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify the changes of perceived health status, physical symptoms, and sleep satisfaction of postpartum women over time. A longitudinal design was used. Participants were 137 healthy postpartum women who had not been diagnosed with any medical diseases. Data were collected by a self-report questionnaire at three periods, the second day, 4-6 weeks, and 12-14 weeks postpartum. Women's perceived health status was lower at 4-6 weeks than on the second day after childbirth, physical symptoms were more frequent at 4-6 weeks than on the second day after childbirth, and sleep satisfaction was lower at 4-6 weeks than at 12-14 weeks postpartum. Tiredness or fatigue was the most frequent symptom experienced by postpartum women at all three periods. These results indicate that the period from 4 to 6 weeks postpartum is the most difficult time for mothers. Therefore, there is a need to develop nursing interventions to alleviate fatigue and other symptoms, and to help and support women during the period 4-6 weeks postpartum, a critical period for interventions.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Ju-Eun
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Hyun Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.forename: Chang Hee
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006304:Health Status; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Korea; fatigue; longitudinal studies; postpartum period; sleep; women's health