The Experience of Elderly Primigravidas during Postpartum Care at A Maternity Home

<p>Objectives: To improve the quality of support for elderly primigravidas in the postpartum care. This study aimed to evaluate elderly primigravidas experience of the postpartum care provided at A maternity home in Japan.</p><p>Method: A qualitative descriptive research design was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for about 30 to 60 minutes at A maternity home in the postpartum care with 10 elderly primigravidas. Consent was obtained for the interviews, and the interviews were recorded on an IC recorder.</p><p>Results: The participants believed that they could not trust others, but by using the postnatal care service, they were able to heal their minds and bodies. The participants could concentrate on childcare after receiving guidance from a midwife. They stopped using the postnatal care service after they felt confident in their own abilities. Participants sometimes lost confidence, but through their experience and the maternity home support, they could raise their children at their own pace. Moreover, they felt contented as they were able to relax their mind.</p><p>Discussion: Participants who were struggling physically and mentally improved through the postpartum care program and could take care of their children. Moreover, being supported by a midwife and practicing childcare techniques increased their sense of security and self-confidence. They started trusting the midwifery clinic for emotional support and childcare experience. It gradually helped them internalize childcare techniques and customize them per their needs. Furthermore, by using the postpartum care service, they could attain peace of mind which made them confident about their decisions to embrace motherhood at an advanced age.</p><p>Conclusion: The use of the postpartum care service provided by the maternity home was an experience that healed the participants' minds and bodies. It instilled a sense of security and confidence in the form of childcare that suited their needs. As a result, research participants were more relaxed and had a more positive outlook on life.</p>