The characteristics of users of postpartum care services: A longitudinal study at 35 weeks gestation and one month postpartum

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of users of postpartum care services and compare the factors associated with utilization of these services for users and non-users. The focus was on postpartum physical and mental discomfort, childcare anxiety, qualities of partners regarded as the closest supporters, and the use of instruction in childcare techniques.

Methods

A longitudinal study using a web-based self-administered questionnaire was conducted from May 2019 to February 2020 with study participants at 35 weeks gestation and one month postpartum. Of the 2,402 women given the research information leaflet at the time of their antenatal checkup, 667 (27.8%) responded to the first self-administered web-based survey, and 448 (18.7%) responded to the second one. The 448 respondents who answered at both time points and indicated whether they used the postpartum care services were included in the analysis. The respondents were divided into two groups: those who answered that they had used the postpartum care services and those who responded that they had not. Chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and student t-tests were performed on the investigation variables.

Results

Characteristics significantly associated with users of postpartum care services included the following: annual household income of at least 9 million yen, status as an employed woman, desiring to be pregnant, receiving a negative reaction from one's partner when becoming pregnant, first breastfeeding was the day following the birth, a strained relationship with one's partner at one month postpartum, and low scores on the Short Form-8 (SF-8) Japanese version of the Physical Component Summary (PCS) at one month postpartum.

Conclusion

In this study, the use of postpartum care services was associated with decreased physical quality of life (QoL) after childbirth. In addition to the need for rest, the relationship with one's partner might be related, suggesting the need to consider the relationship with the partner as a factor in deciding whether to use postpartum care services. In addition, financial difficulties associated with using the current postpartum care services also existed. Therefore, physical QoL, the relationship with one's partner, and financial support should be considered so that those needing postpartum care services can access them.