Expectations of mothers regarding postpartum home visits within one year of delivery

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to investigate the expectations of mothers regarding postpartum home visits less than 1 year after childbirth and to clarify the needs of mothers during postpartum home visits. Method This study was based on a survey conducted among 594 postpartum women in Tokyo, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures in Japan. All participants were surveyed within one year of delivery. A major part of the questionnaire concerned the requirements for postpartum home visits and included items on (1) basic attributes, (2) situation and method of delivery, (3) condition of the newborn baby, (4) postpartum support, (5) mothers' expectations regarding postpartum home visits (scheduling, number of visits, time, occupation of visitor, type of care), and (6) a free space for any additional comments. Results A total of 271 (45.6%) postpartum women returned the questionnaire. Their average age at delivery was 32.8 (± 5.0) years. Of the respondents, 176 (64.9%) were primipara, and 95 (35.1%) were multipara. The average pregnancy duration was 39.0 (±1.6) weeks, with 86.0% having a vaginal delivery and 14.0% opting for a Caesarean section. A total of 185 respondents (68.5%) had either "no reservations" or "few reservations" about home visits. Additionally, 174 respondents (64.4%) wanted home visits one to two months after delivery, and 114 (42.2%) wanted home visits immediately after leaving the hospital to one month after delivery; 180 respondents (67.7%) said they would like multiple home visits within one month of delivery, while 237 respondents (87.8%) wanted to be visited by a midwife, making this the most desired occupation, and 174 (72.2%) wanted to be visited by someone from a hospital or clinic. The most desired types of care included weighing the infant (228 respondents, 84.1%), breastfeeding-related concerns (198 respondents, 73.1%), and pelvic care (163 respondents, 60.1%). Conclusion Although the postpartum period includes mental stress, the most desired types of care involved breastfeeding, weighing the infant, and other direct physical approaches. Few mothers within the first year of delivery had strong reservations about home visits, and many wanted multiple visits within two months of delivery. Many respondents expressed a desire for both a midwife and someone affiliated with a hospital or clinic. Thus, in the future, it would be desirable for midwives from hospitals and clinics to provide outreach-style home visits for seamless care.