Fatigue, depression, maternal confidence, and maternal satisfaction during the first month postpartum: A comparison of Japanese mothers by age and parity. (8th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mori, Emi; Tsuchiya, Miyako; Maehara, Kunie; Iwata, Hiroko; Sakajo, Akiko; Tamakoshi, Koji
• Is Part Of: International journal of nursing practice. Volume 23(2017:Feb.)Supplement 1
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-01-08
• Subjects: fatigue -- maternal age -- maternal confidence -- nursing -- postpartum depression; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Practice -- Periodicals; 610.73092
• DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12508
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-7114

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess fatigue, depressive symptoms, and maternal confidence or satisfaction among older primiparae during the first month postpartum. The number of older Japanese primiparae has rapidly increased. Older primiparae are believed to be at high risk for puerperal morbidity. A multicentre prospective cohort study design was used. Data were examined from 2854 Japanese women who participated in a 6‐month prospective cohort study conducted between May 2012 and September 2013. The women were classified into 4 groups based on maternal age and parity. All participants completed the Postnatal Accumulated Fatigue Scale, Japanese Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Postpartum Maternal Confidence Scale, and Postpartum Maternal Satisfaction Scale. Primiparae in all age groups were more severely fatigued and had a higher risk of postpartum depression than multiparous mothers during the first month postpartum. Older primiparae had significantly lower scores on maternal confidence and maternal satisfaction than the other 3 groups at 1 month postpartum. These findings suggest that postpartum nursing should focus on promoting adequate sleep, providing emotional support, and fostering the process of maternal role adaptation among older Japanese primiparae, particularly during the first postpartum month. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Older primiparae are more likely to have abnormal births compared with younger mothers and are at greater risk of having an insufficient supply of breast milk. What this paper adds? Older primiparae were more severely fatigued and at higher risk of postpartum depression than multiparae. Older primiparae had lower maternal confidence and maternal satisfaction compared with younger primiparae and younger or older multiparae during the first month postpartum. The implications of this paper: Postpartum nursing must offer education and support for older primiparae to assist them in making a successful physical and psychological transition to become a healthy mother.