How first‐time mothers cope with child care while still in the maternity ward

Abstract

The aim of the study was to ascertain those factors that are related to the way first-time mothers assess themselves to be coping with child care when leaving the maternity hospital. The study is part of a wider longitudinal project that follows-up first-time mothers' growth into motherhood for a period of 8 months after the birth. Data collection was done using a questionnaire distributed between January and May 1995. The sample comprised 271 first time mothers. The mothers completed the questionnaire on average on the fifth day after childbirth. A stepwise regression analysis was applied. The mothers who assessed themselves to be coping better with child care were those who went home feeling rested and in a good frame of mind and who had positive experience of child care in the maternity ward. The more functional support the mother perceived herself to receive from members of her social network the better she assessed herself to be coping with child care. Those mothers who had previous experience of taking care of infants also assessed themselves to be coping better with child care. On the basis of the research findings it may be stated that the first-time mother needs support from both nursing professionals and close relatives in order to trust their own abilities to cope better with child care during early motherhood.

Exploring Adolescence and Parenthood: A Transitional Life Stage and Abrupt Life Change

“…As already debated the development of identity also includes the development of sexual identity [1,2,16,29,43]. Especially for the adolescent mother the transition to parenthood includes changes in body image linked with pregnancy and the postnatal period [47,48]. As part of adolescent development physical appearance and attractiveness linked with sexual identity becomes a key focus in middle to late adolescence [1,2,33].…”

“…This heightened awareness of self-image includes an increased focus on personal grooming, exercise, make up and clothing to enhance their sense of physical attractiveness [1,2,33]. For the pregnant adolescent feeling clumsy, fat and unattractive conflicts with this developmental focus impacting on their opportunity to develop a positive self-image [47,48]. Similarly, during the postnatal period with increased parental responsibility there is less opportunity for the teenage parent to focus on their personal physical appearance [47,48].…”

“…For the pregnant adolescent feeling clumsy, fat and unattractive conflicts with this developmental focus impacting on their opportunity to develop a positive self-image [47,48]. Similarly, during the postnatal period with increased parental responsibility there is less opportunity for the teenage parent to focus on their personal physical appearance [47,48]. From this vantage point the transition to parenthood for the teenage parent has the potential to negatively impact on their sense of physical wellbeing, self-image and self-esteem [1,2,33].…”

Validity and Reliability of Breastfeeding Advice and Coping with Breastfeeding Instruments

“…The measurements used were the Breastfeeding Advice instrument, 22 the Coping with Breastfeeding instrument, 8,23 a revised Index of Breastfeeding Status (IBS), 24 and a demographic questionnaire for a mother and infant.…”

“…22 The instrument has been used previously to describe the overall advice and breastfeeding advice that mothers of term, healthy infants receive while on the maternity ward. [25][26][27][28] The instrument had internal consistency for overall advice (Cronbach's ␣ ϭ .86) 25 and breastfeeding advice among term infants' mothers (Cronbach's ␣ ϭ .86).…”