2025 Volume 45 Pages 951-961
Objective: This study aimed to clarify The Structure of Support based on the experiences of midwife home visit activities that municipalities conducted for mothers and infants aged 0–4 months postpartum.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 midwives who practiced home visit support for mothers and infants aged 0-4 months in Prefecture A. Interview data were collected and assessed using the qualitative synthesis method (KJ method).
Results: The professional support that midwives offered during home visits was underpinned by efforts to decrease physical and psychological burdens and consistently characterized by two core practices of midwifery care: helping in the reflection on childbirth experiences and supporting mothers in their caregiving practices. However, through their experiences, the midwives recognized the requirement for multifaceted support tailored to the diversity of mothers and infants. Additionally, they identified challenges such as “sustainable community-based support” and “collaboration with public health nurses.”
Conclusion: The structure of midwives’ support during home visits was clarified. Therefore, deeply understanding mothers struggling with childcare, determining the appropriate timing for ongoing support for mothers and infants, and fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams with a deeper understanding of each other’s expertise are crucial.
