The Lived Experiences and Support Needs of the Postpartum Primiparous Women in Tshwane, South Africa

Research purpose: Is to give report about the section of the main study about a community-based support programme for early discharged postpartum women in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane. The presentation is based on the 1st phase of the main study and is is about the lived experiences and support needs of post partum primiparous women after discharge at Ga-Rankuwa.  Although scientific evidence does not indicate increase in maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity after discharge postpartum, concern for possible complications exist among health care providers and the primiparous post partum. Although the general expectation is to emphasise and counsel the postpartum primiparous about the wellbeing of herself and her newborn, it is observed that they are  discharged from clinics and health institutions before they can master and understand the changes and the care expected.

Objective: To explore and describe the lived experiences and support needs of the primiparous women who are discharged postpartum at Ga Rankuwa clinics.

Methods and design:  A qualitative exploratory and descriptive study was used to explore the lived experiences and support needs of post partum primiparous women from health clinics at Ga-Rankuwa. The context of the study was three Ga-Rankuwa clinics providing maternity care services to postpartum primiparous women.

Data gathering: Data were gathered  from the post partum primiparous women by conducting an in-depth individual interview using an interview schedule. A central question was asked:  Please tell me your experience of being discharged from hospital or clinic, your support needs and your experience of taking care of yourself and newborn baby at home”. Saturation of data was reached at  the 12th participant. Data analysis was done using Hermeneutic interpretive approach.

Findings: Although almost all participants had a tertiary education, most of them were unemployed.Three themes emerged from the data analysed. Themes emerged were the need for support, knowledge and skill deficit, and cultural beliefs and practices.

Conclusion: Postpartum primiparous women expressed the need to be supported post partum and they mentioned the cultural practices of which  some were unsafe to the newborn.