A survey of attitudes of obstetric patients to a new-old concept of postnatal care.

One hundred and thirty six mothers who were patients in a low dependency postnatal maternity unit were surveyed to assess their attitudes to this kind of care, and whether they preferred it to the more traditional acute care maternity unit. Their confidence in caring for their babies was also assessed. A three month follow-up study sought a retrospective opinion of the unit and measured the incidence of breast feeding. The findings indicated an overwhelming support for this kind of unit.