Women's experiences of home visits by midwives in the early postnatal period.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study is to gain a deeper understanding of women's experiences of midwifery care in connection with home visits during the early postnatal period.


METHODS
A qualitative approach was chosen for data collection, and the data presented are based on six focus group interviews (n: 24). The women were both primiparous and multiparous, aged 22-37, and lived with their partners. All participants had given birth at a maternity unit responsible for about 4000 births a year. The transcribed interviews were analysed through systematic text condensation.


RESULTS
The findings are reflected in three main themes: 'The importance of relational continuity', 'The importance of a postpartum talk' and 'Vulnerability in the early postnatal period'. When the woman had a personal relationship with the midwife responsible for the home visit she experienced predictability, availability and confidence. The women wanted recognition and time to talk about their birth experience. They also felt vulnerable in their maternal role in the early postnatal period and the start of the breast-feeding process.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to promote relational continuity models of midwifery care to address the emotional aspects of the postnatal period. Women generally wish to discuss their birth experience, preferably with the midwife who was present during the birth. Due to the short duration of postnatal care in hospitals, the visit from the midwife a few days after childbirth becomes all the more important.
St. Olavs University Hospital, Department of Women's Health, Olav Kyrres gt. 17, 7006 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: unn.dahlberg@stolav.no.
Unn
U
Dahlberg
Department of Nursing Science and Center for Health Promotion Research, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Gørill
G
Haugan
Department of Nursing Science, Midwifery Education, Faculty of Health and Social Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Ingvild
I
Aune
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008880:Midwifery / Q000592:standards*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009664:Norway; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D011247:Pregnancy; D036301:Qualitative Research
Continuity of care; Home visit; Postnatal care; Postpartum talk