Postpartum midwifery care and familial psychosocial risk factors in Switzerland: A secondary data analysis / Hebammenbetreuung im Wochenbett und familiäre psychosoziale Risikofaktoren in der Schweiz: eine Sekundäranalyse

Abstract

Introduction: Psychosocial resources of parents are vital for the health and development of their children. Families in stressful circumstances should receive early seamless care to strengthen their parental resources. Independent midwives provide ambulant postpartum care in most families in Switzerland, and hence could play an important role in the early assessment and care of families at risk. Methods: Comprehensive routine data of Swiss independent midwives were used for secondary analysis. Frequencies of known psychosocial risk factors were derived and compared to other data sources. Group comparisons were made with respect to family characteristics and midwifery care. Results: Only some of the considered risk factors are representable in the midwives' data. 18.6% of all families have one and 6.25% have multiple such representable risk factors. Immigrant mothers from developing and emerging countries, very young or older mothers and large families are thereby particularly often affected. Burdened families receive more home visits, but have a later onset of ambulant postpartum care. They suffer more often from breast-feeding problems and are more frequently referred to other disciplines. Discussion: Independent midwives in Switzerland document some of the known psychosocial risk factors and adapt their care in routine practice. The collection of data with a better coverage of the known psychosocial risk factors, ideally using validated assessment instruments, is recommended, and further research is required for a more in-depth understanding of the current interdisciplinary collaboration and the needs of families and care providers.