Abstract
To explore the experiences of women with obesity regarding self-care and the care provided by their families and health team after childbirth. A clinical qualitative study performed at the Postnatal Outpatient Clinic of Hospital da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil. The sample was selected using the saturation criteria, with 16 women with obesity up to 6 months after childbirth. The analysis comprised three categories: 1) postnatal self-care; 2) family support for woman after childbirth; and 3) postnatal health care service for women with obesity. Women with obesity need support from the health team and from their families after childbirth, when they are overwhelmed by the exhausting care for the newborn. The present study reveals how important it is for health care professionals to broaden their perception and care provided after childbirth for women with obesity so they may experience an improvement in their quality of health and of life.
Highlights
MethodsThe period after birth is a critical moment of transition and of physiological and psychological adaptations, which leaves women more susceptible to physical and emotional intercurrences.[1,2] The new maternity brings many challenges: besides her physiological recovery, the woman has to deal with the routine of caring for her baby and for herself
Women with obesity need support from the health team and from their families after childbirth, when they are overwhelmed by the exhausting care for the newborn
The present study reveals how important it is for health care professionals to broaden their perception and care provided after childbirth for women with obesity so they may experience an improvement in their quality of health and of life
Summary
The period after birth is a critical moment of transition and of physiological and psychological adaptations, which leaves women more susceptible to physical and emotional intercurrences.[1,2] The new maternity brings many challenges: besides her physiological recovery, the woman has to deal with the routine of caring for her baby and for herself. During this period, significant changes in her life demand new challenges, such as the acceptance of a new body image, sleep deprivation, adjustmentments in family relationships, as well as changes in her professional life, and in her health care and dietary care.[3]. The intention behind insisting on the postpartum period as the “4th trimester” is to encourage actions to support women and their families during this critical period.[3,5]
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