Mothers' perceptions of maternity care

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the Maltese mothers' perceptions of the maternity care that they received throughout their pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. The objectives of this study were to describe the mothers' experiences of the maternity care, to determine if the maternity care they received reached up to their expectations, to assess if the women were given the information that they needed and to examine if the women were involved in decision making. Ethical approval was granted by the Nursing/Midwifery Dissertation Panel Board of Studies; the Research Ethics Committee of the Institute of Health Care, University of Malta and from the Director of Primary Health Care. To fulfill the study's aim, a self administered structured questionnaire was used. Thirty Maltese female clients who had given birth to a healthy baby, had a normal vaginal delivery, were primagravida or multigravida, and were attending for their postnatal visit at a Primary Health Centre were included in this study. A 100% response rate was obtained. Results revealed that the majority of the women perceived the overall maternity care received as reaching up to their expectations. Yet, several responses were given regarding care at each phase of maternity care. Women seemed to have enough information on smoking and folic acid during the antenatal period; however the responses varied with regards to information on other topics. During labour and birth, the majority of the participants were provided with information and explanations about what was happening and why the procedures were necessary. Various responses were provided regarding information, help, support, advice and privacy received in the postnatal period. Although the majority of the participants stated that they were involved in decision making during labour and birth, some of them wanted to be more involved. Results were discussed and compared to the literature in order to focus on the objectives of the study. These results are limited to the sample of participants in this study. Recommendations include providing information in the form of booklets and/or leaflets, providing hands-on experience, spending quality time with the mother and promotion of the midwifery profession.