A mixed methods study of the postnatal care journey from birth to discharge in a maternity service in New South Wales, Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Service gaps continue in hospital and community-based postnatal care despite a high prevalence of physical and mental health concerns reported by women following birth. The aim of this study was to describe the postnatal journey and the care provided to women and their babies who were at low risk for health complications from birth to discharge from the maternity service.

Methods

A mixed methods design was used to map the postnatal journey, for the woman and baby, from birth to discharge from the maternity service. Data were collected through activity diaries completed by 15 women and telephone interviews with the women two weeks after birth.

Results

The average hospital postnatal stay was 70 h and, in this time, the women received on average, a total of 3 

SUBMITTER: Schmied V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11613488 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature