Mother’s Experiences and Perceptions of a Continuous Caring Model with Fathers after Caesarean Section: A Qualitative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17140/WHOJ-1-110Keywords:
Parental continuous care; Newborn; Gentle caesarean section; Content analysisAbstract
Background: In Chile, mothers and newborns are separated after caesarean sections. The caesarean section rate in Chile is approximately 40%. Once separated, newborns will miss out on
the benefits of early contact unless a suitable model of early newborn contact after caesarean
section is initiated.
Aim: To describe mothers experiences and perceptions of a continuous parental model of newborn care after caesarean section during mother-infant separation.
Methods: A questionnaire with 4 open ended questions to gather data on the experiences and
perceptions of 95 mothers in the obstetric service of Sótero Del Rio Hospital in Chile between
2009 and 2012. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
Results: One theme family friendly practice after caesarean section and four categories. Mothers described the benefits of this model of caring. The fathers presence was important to mother
and baby. Mothers were reassured that the baby was not left alone with staff. It was important
for the mothers to see that the father could love the baby as much as the mother. This model
of care helped create ties between the father and newborn during the period of mother-infant
separation and later with the mother.
Conclusions: Family friendly practice after caesarean section was an important health care
intervention for the whole family. This model could be stratified in the Chilean context in the
case of complicated births and all caesarean sections.
Clinical Implications: In the Chilean context, there is the potential to increase the number of
parents who get to hold their baby immediately after birth and for as long as they like. When
the mother and infant are separated after birth, parents can be informed about the benefits of
this caring model. Further research using randomized control trials may support biological
advantages.
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