Maternal confidence during the postpartum period

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the relationship between maternal confidence, maternal characteristics and experiences with nursing support during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Additionally, to describe and compare the maternity experiences of women with low and high confidence levels. Results. Multiparas were significantly more confident in the postpartum period than primiparas (p < 0.0001), although confidence increased over time for primiparas (p < 0.0001) and decreased over time for multiparas (p < 0.0005). Mothers who spoke a language other than English or French were significantly less confident caring for themselves at home (p < 0.0005) and caring for their baby at home (p < 0.0001). Mothers' rating of breastfeeding support in-hospital was significantly positively correlated with confidence breastfeeding upon discharge (p < 0.0001). Significant negative correlations were found between number of community services received or sought-out and all confidence measures (p ≤ 0.001). Women indicated that they would have liked more support from nurses for breastfeeding, infant and self-care. Women with low confidence commented more often on the need for teaching and education in the postpartum period when compared to women with high confidence. Both women with low and high confidence reported lack of nursing support for breastfeeding, although women with low confidence perceived the problem to be related to conflicting nursing advice, and women with high confidence perceived the problem to be related to pressure from nursing staff to breastfeed.