Low-Income, Urban Minority Women's Perceptions of Self- and Infant Care during the Postpartum Period

ObjectiveTo describe low-income, urban, first-time mothers' perceptions about self-care and infant care during the first 6-months postpartum. DesignNaturalistic approach. SettingRecruitment from community centers and churches. ParticipantsThirteen Hispanic and African American women who delivered their first infants within the past 6 months. MethodsDemographic and health information data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Semistructured interviews were conducted; data were coded and then clustered conceptually into categories. ResultsPostpartum maternal self- and infant care issues included four categories: preparedness for discharge, confidence and satisfaction with mothering, concerns about infant care, and indifference to maternal self-care. Women were confident in caring for themselves and their infants and reported few unmet learning needs or health concerns. External sources of stress included finances, uncertain living arrangements, and relationship issues. ConclusionHealth care providers who care for low-income postpartum women need to acknowledge the influence of external stressors that contribute to health outcomes in this population. It is vital that nurses collaborate with other health care providers to make certain that community connections are made for women who might need additional services beyond the postpartum check-up visit.