Open AccessListening to Women: Focus group discussions of what women want from postnatal care
Author(s) -
W A Butchart,
B L Tancred,
N Wildman
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
curationis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 2223-6279
pISSN - 0379-8577
DOI - 10.4102/curationis.v22i4.739
Subject(s) - active listening , focus group , childbirth , thematic analysis , postnatal care , nursing , psychology , medicine , health care , family medicine , medical education , qualitative research , pregnancy , sociology , communication , social science , biology , anthropology , genetics , economics , economic growth
Postpartum care is an essential part of the experience of childbirth and parenthood. This study explores what women want from postnatal care. Three focus groups, using a semi-structured format, were conducted. A total of 12 mothers, up to six weeks postpartum, participated in the study, which was conducted in two clinics in the Western Cape Metropole. Data was transcribed from taped sessions and analysed using Burnard's (1991) model of "thematic content analysis". Seven major categories were identified: Information, Support, Organisation of services, Attitudes of the health team, Contact with other mothers, Practical assistance and Other services. Listening to women is an essential element in the provision of flexible and responsive postnatal care that meets the felt needs of women and families.