Susan Ayers1, Rosalind Crawley2, Rebecca Webb1, Susan Button3, Alexandra Thornton1. 1. Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, City, University of London, London, UK. 2. School of Psychology, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK. 3. Department of Adult Nursing and Paramedic Science, University of Greenwich, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Having a baby is associated with a variety of stressors, change, and adjustment. This study aimed to identify what women find stressful during the early postpartum period in contemporary Western society. METHODS: Women (n = 148) 6-12 weeks postpartum wrote anonymously about a situation they found stressful as part of the Health after Birth Trial (HABiT) of expressive writing. Transcripts were analyzed for categories of stressors and cross-cutting themes. RESULTS: Five categories of stressors were identified. Stressors in pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period (49.3%) included physical and emotional difficulties, and insensitive treatment by health professionals. Stressors related to adjusting to life with a baby (35.8%) included difficulties coping with a new baby, parenting, juggling responsibilities, changes to physical health, and loneliness. Stressors related to the baby's health (32.4%) included infant digestive problems, acute health problems, long-term impact, and neonatal intensive care unit experiences. Stressors related to breastfeeding (23.7%) included pressure to breastfeed, feeling like a 'bad mum' for not breastfeeding, or wanting to breastfeed and not being able to. Other stressors related to changing relationships (18.2%): with their partner, children, and other family members. Cross-cutting themes that emerged in different stressor categories were women making negative self-appraisals (eg, a bad mum, failure), feeling guilty, and lack of support from others. DISCUSSION: Our findings emphasize the importance of exploring stressors and psychological well-being with women to provide support, help women's adjustment postpartum, and ensure interventions are offered when appropriate.
BACKGROUND: Having a baby is associated with a variety of stressors, change, and adjustment. This study aimed to identify what women find stressful during the early postpartum period in contemporary Western society. METHODS:Women (n = 148) 6-12 weeks postpartum wrote anonymously about a situation they found stressful as part of the Health after Birth Trial (HABiT) of expressive writing. Transcripts were analyzed for categories of stressors and cross-cutting themes. RESULTS: Five categories of stressors were identified. Stressors in pregnancy, labor, and the early postpartum period (49.3%) included physical and emotional difficulties, and insensitive treatment by health professionals. Stressors related to adjusting to life with a baby (35.8%) included difficulties coping with a new baby, parenting, juggling responsibilities, changes to physical health, and loneliness. Stressors related to the baby's health (32.4%) included infant digestive problems, acute health problems, long-term impact, and neonatal intensive care unit experiences. Stressors related to breastfeeding (23.7%) included pressure to breastfeed, feeling like a 'bad mum' for not breastfeeding, or wanting to breastfeed and not being able to. Other stressors related to changing relationships (18.2%): with their partner, children, and other family members. Cross-cutting themes that emerged in different stressor categories were women making negative self-appraisals (eg, a bad mum, failure), feeling guilty, and lack of support from others. DISCUSSION: Our findings emphasize the importance of exploring stressors and psychological well-being with women to provide support, help women's adjustment postpartum, and ensure interventions are offered when appropriate.
Authors: Heather A O'Mahen; Paul G Ramchandani; Sarah L Halligan; Pasco Fearon; Dorothy X King; Leonie Lee-Carbon; Esther L Wilkinson; Chloe Thompson-Booth; Jennifer Ericksen; Jeannette Milgrom; Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2022-02-17 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Ashby Lavelle Sachs; Eva Coringrato; Nadav Sprague; Angela Turbyfill; Sarah Tillema; Jill Litt Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-04 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Grace M Betts; Leah M Lipsky; Chelsie D Temmen; Anna Maria Siega-Riz; Myles S Faith; Tonja R Nansel Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2021-05-01 Impact factor: 8.915