Abstract
The present study was conducted to clarify the degree of family support expected by Changchun Chinese women during the postpartum period. I interviewed eleven such Chinese women, collected the data, and subjected them to continuous comparative analysis.
The results showed that women after birth were expecting “support for recovery of health”, which included “cold prevention,” “adequate rest,” and “special meals.” Furthermore, they hoped for “mental and physical support with all aspects of child care,” which included three subcategories:“taking care of personal needs with regard to food, clothing, and housing,” “knowledge and skill concerning health and child care after childbirth,” and “emotional stability.” Specific requirements for provision of support included “adoption of Western customs together with traditional customs” and “support that was satisfactory and well received.” With regard to the reasons why the women considered support was necessary, there was a consensus that the postpartum period was an extremely important time for a woman's health, and that a woman wished to feel as though she were valued after childbirth. Therefore, support received from the family at this time was considered a “natural right.”
These findings suggest that for Chinese women the postpartum period is very important, requiring both mental and physical support. Moreover, I propose that support for such women should include both Western and traditional customs, and that the degree of support should be perceived as satisfactory by the recipient.
