Swedish women's suggestions for health care improvements during the first year after birth : A qualitative study of free-text answers given within a randomized controlled trial
Johansson, Christel LU
; Edqvist, Malin
LU
; Bonnevier, Anna
LU
; Vilhelmsen, Mia
LU
and Rubertsson, Christine
LU
(2025)
In Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare
44.
- Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The time after birth is a crucial period for women, involving both physical recovery and emotional challenges. Previous research indicates that postnatal care is a neglected area of maternity care. The aim of this study was to explore women's suggestions for health care improvements, based on their experiences during the first year after birth.
METHODS: This study is based on data from a one-year follow-up questionnaire collected prospectively after randomization in a multicentre trial in Sweden. The questionnaire included an open-ended question: "Based on your experience during the first year after giving birth, do you have any suggestions of change in health care, which could have contributed to better health for... (More)
OBJECTIVE: The time after birth is a crucial period for women, involving both physical recovery and emotional challenges. Previous research indicates that postnatal care is a neglected area of maternity care. The aim of this study was to explore women's suggestions for health care improvements, based on their experiences during the first year after birth.
METHODS: This study is based on data from a one-year follow-up questionnaire collected prospectively after randomization in a multicentre trial in Sweden. The questionnaire included an open-ended question: "Based on your experience during the first year after giving birth, do you have any suggestions of change in health care, which could have contributed to better health for you?" Thematic analysis inspired by Braun and Clark was conducted to analyse the answers.
RESULTS: A total of 2516 women completed the questionnaire, with 719 (29 %) providing free text responses to the open-ended question. Women described the transition to motherhood as challenging and lonely, and offered numerous suggestions to improve care after birth. The results showed four themes: Provision of compassionate, tailored and respectful care after birth, Evidence-based breastfeeding support, Guidance regarding bodily changes and A need for extended follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Women suggested improvements and pointed out the importance of continuity of care after birth, a comprehensive and individualized postnatal care, accessible and extended throughout the first year. Future research must focus on how to establish a postnatal care program that extends further than the first six weeks, based on women's experiences and suggestions to ensure an optimal start to motherhood.
(Less)
- author
- Johansson, Christel
LU
; Edqvist, Malin
LU
; Bonnevier, Anna
LU
; Vilhelmsen, Mia
LU
and Rubertsson, Christine
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare
- volume
- 44
- article number
- 101078
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85219057307
- pmid:40020418
- ISSN
- 1877-5764
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101078
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 77c63e59-d97a-48f7-b41d-7d7aa5988bd2
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-11 09:34:09
- date last changed
- 2025-07-02 14:18:16
@article{77c63e59-d97a-48f7-b41d-7d7aa5988bd2,
abstract = {{<p>OBJECTIVE: The time after birth is a crucial period for women, involving both physical recovery and emotional challenges. Previous research indicates that postnatal care is a neglected area of maternity care. The aim of this study was to explore women's suggestions for health care improvements, based on their experiences during the first year after birth.</p><p>METHODS: This study is based on data from a one-year follow-up questionnaire collected prospectively after randomization in a multicentre trial in Sweden. The questionnaire included an open-ended question: "Based on your experience during the first year after giving birth, do you have any suggestions of change in health care, which could have contributed to better health for you?" Thematic analysis inspired by Braun and Clark was conducted to analyse the answers.</p><p>RESULTS: A total of 2516 women completed the questionnaire, with 719 (29 %) providing free text responses to the open-ended question. Women described the transition to motherhood as challenging and lonely, and offered numerous suggestions to improve care after birth. The results showed four themes: Provision of compassionate, tailored and respectful care after birth, Evidence-based breastfeeding support, Guidance regarding bodily changes and A need for extended follow-up.</p><p>CONCLUSION: Women suggested improvements and pointed out the importance of continuity of care after birth, a comprehensive and individualized postnatal care, accessible and extended throughout the first year. Future research must focus on how to establish a postnatal care program that extends further than the first six weeks, based on women's experiences and suggestions to ensure an optimal start to motherhood.</p>}},
author = {{Johansson, Christel and Edqvist, Malin and Bonnevier, Anna and Vilhelmsen, Mia and Rubertsson, Christine}},
issn = {{1877-5764}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare}},
title = {{Swedish women's suggestions for health care improvements during the first year after birth : A qualitative study of free-text answers given within a randomized controlled trial}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101078}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101078}},
volume = {{44}},
year = {{2025}},
}