Investigating the relationship between satisfaction with social support and functional status after childbirth.

PURPOSE: To explore the relationship between satisfaction with support and functional status after childbirth. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal survey design. METHODS: Two hundred new mothers who had experienced a healthy pregnancy, normal delivery and puerperium, and delivered a healthy infant between 37 and 42 weeks gestation were approached while attending primary healthcare maternal-child health centers and immunization clinics in New South Wales, Australia. Measurement tools included the Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth and the Support Behavior Inventory, and were administered at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: Significant increases in total mean functional scores, scores for household responsibilities, social activities, and self-care were noted. Although no significant correlation was found between satisfaction with social support and functional status after childbirth, satisfaction with support from one's partner decreased significantly during the 6-month survey period, as did satisfaction with support from others. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It could be that providers need to assess the social support needs of their clients. A postnatal support plan could be used by mothers to negotiate the long-term involvement of others in household tasks and selected aspects of infant care.

An Australian study of functional status after childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: To identify key predictive variables of functional status after childbirth. DESIGN: An investigative survey design. SETTING: Primary health care maternal child health centres in one large city in Victoria, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 200 mothers selected from a culturally diverse population. All were aged 20 to 35 years, had experienced normal pregnancies, labours, deliveries and delivered a healthy baby between 37 and 42 weeks' gestation. MEASURES AND FINDINGS: The Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth (IFSAC) (Fawcett Tulman & Myers 1988) was used as the main outcome measure. Three variables predictive of functional status after childbirth were identified, namely, satisfaction with level of stamina and well-being, sleep pattern at night and perceived lack of support following childbirth. KEY CONCLUSIONS: Return to full functional status as measured by IFSAC takes longer than physiological recovery after childbirth. Women who experience diminished well-being, interrupted sleep patterns and lacked support, appeared to be at greater risk of role congestion, overload and dysfunction. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To help women avoid the additive nature of assuming the motherhood role while also resuming past role responsibilities, practitioners could encourage pregnant women to develop a postnatal support plan. Women need to be proactive in negotiating specific and ongoing support from others with household responsibilities and some aspects of baby care.