'What is could indeed be better'--Swedish women's perceptions of early postnatal care.

BACKGROUND

studies have shown that women are more likely to be satisfied with intrapartum rather than postpartum care. The structure and organisation of care seems to be a barrier to good-quality postpartum treatment

OBJECTIVE

to explore the perceived reality and the subjective importance of early postnatal care provided in hospital, and to study women's satisfaction with different models of early postnatal care and the factors that are most strongly associated with being 'very satisfied' with the postnatal care received.

METHOD

a regional survey was conducted with 1240 women recruited in mid-pregnancy and followed-up two months after childbirth.

RESULTS

a statistically significant difference existed between the subjective importance and the perceived reality for all studied variables, with a greater subjective importance than perceived reality for all statements. The length of postnatal stay and the content of care were related to satisfaction, while the model of postnatal care was not. The most important variables for being 'very satisfied' with postnatal care were that the infant received the best possible check-ups/medical care, and that the woman received sufficient support from staff.

CONCLUSION

further studies are needed to assess the best model of postnatal care that gives the best opportunities to provide satisfactory care for women and their families.