Learning to Be a Normal Mother: Empowerment and Pedagogy in Postpartum Classes

Abstract

This qualitative study, which was conducted in the summer of 1992, presents the findings of how six first-time mothers and two public health nurses experienced pedagogical practices within postpartum classes offered by two public health units in Ontario, Canada. How concerns and aspirations of new mothers were constructed and mediated in the postpartum class are analyzed using concepts from poststructuralist and feminist methodologies. This study goes beyond an analysis of individual teaching and learning styles and discusses how social structures of isolation, investment in a medical discourse, and processes of normalization construct an individual's experiences and practices of mothering, which in turn influence pedagogical practices in postpartum classes. Issues of empowerment, language, support, and knowledge exchange are discussed.

More than meets the eye. Feminist poststructuralism as a lens towards understanding obesity

“…Questioning and challenging the notion of power as linear can lead to new ways of exploring and understanding relations. Nurses have been known to shift negative hierarchical relations and focus on the client's expert knowledge about their health situation with the intent to create an empowering relation (Aston 2002, Aston et al 2006. Foucault (1983), Butler (1992) and Scott (1992) illustrate how people are active participants who have the potential to challenge and change beliefs and practices.…”

Seeking Newborn Information as a Resource for Maternal Support

“…However, nurses and educators must encourage new mothers to view the videotapes and, next, they must provide new parents with an opportunity for discussion and questions with either the hospital nurses or childbirth educators before the mother's discharge from the hospital. Another option would be to offer postpartum classes that address and support mothers' informational and emotional needs (Aston, 2002).…”

Evaluating the impact of a quality care‐metric on public health nursing practice: protocol for a mixed methods study

“…While these are recommendations for care provided to new mothers, many studies have since concurred with Eaton () that little is known about the effectiveness of care provided by PHNs during the primary visit (Aston , HSE , Leahy Warren , Byrd , HSE ,b, McGuinness et al . ).…”

“…The literature highlights that PHNs offer valuable information and support to new mothers and reassure mothers about feeling normal about mothering practices (Aston , Leahy Warren ). New mothers have identified the need for the PHN to complete a thorough examination of their baby including weighing the baby and caring for the umbilicus (Byrd ).…”

“…). It is also notable that PHN's experience pressure to meet each mother's expectations during the primary visit (Aston , HSE , Leahy Warren , Byrd , HSE ,b, McGuinness et al . ) while growing evidence demonstrates that mothers’ and nurses’ priorities for postpartum care and education may differ (Cheng et al .…”