At the crossroads: the health and welfare of new mothers

Abstract

Background: Institutionalized practice is failing to keep pace with cultural change in regard to gendered expectations. After the birth of an infant there are high rates of marital breakdown, high rates of anxiety and depression, and issues related to identity. Objectives/aims: The aim was to gauge how a sample of Australian women were travelling through the Transition to Parenthood. Methods/design: A qualitative study of 16 women who had their first child in 2004/2005. While using a non-probability sample, selection involved steps to promote diversity of background. Results/findings: One half of the interviewees had difficulties in their relationship with husband/partner, for some this was traumatic. Most did not raise these concerns with their health nurse and spoke of a need to become ‘selfless’. Conclusion: Early years health services need to be reviewed so as respond to issues raised by the TtoP, and include a focus on the social and cultural context of birth.

Keywords:

• mothers
• female
• maternal welfare
• depression
• Australia
• sampling studies
• anxiety

Notes

1 Occupations as described by the participants in line with closest classification as per the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1220.0 ANZSCO, 1st edition, Revision 1.

2 Jessica, Peta, Celia, Anne, Emily, Katelyn, Julia, and Renee.

3 Beverley, Joanna, Tamara, Marina, Lesley, and Hilary.

4 Carol and Barbara – one out of state and the other to a country area.

5 Jessica, Peta, Emily, Katelyn, Julia, Renee, and Beverley.

6 Celia and Carol (casual work and part-time study). Hilary went back to work part-time after the birth of a second infant and her child’s third birthday, and Marina was starting to look for some part-time work (she also had a second child).

7 Anne, Joanne, Tamara, Lesley, and Barbara.

8 Marina.

9 Garvan, 2010, Maternal ambivalence in contemporary Australia: Navigating equity and care, Chapter 1.

10 See http://www.wikigender.org/index.php/Feminization_of_poverty

11 Gender roles, housework, and employment were explored from U.S. figures by Sanchez and Thomson (1997).

12 Joanna.

13 Marina.

14 Tamara.

15 Hilary.

16 Beverley.