Determining the degrees of needed support for first time parents in the immediate and early post partum period: a dissertation

492 Pages·1997·6 MB·English

by  Fraktman, Marilyn Grimes

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DETERMININGTHEDEGREESOFNEEDEDSUPPORTPORRRSTTIMEPARENTS
in the
IMMEDIATE AND EARLY POST PARTUM PERIOD
A DISSERTATION
submitted by
MARILYN GRIMES FRAKTMAN
In partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
LESLEY COLLEGE GRADUATE SCHOOL
April 25
1997

Determining Degrees of Needed Support in the
Immediate and Early Post Partum Period
This study developed an assessment protocol which estimated
the degree and nature of support necessary to facilitate a smooth
transition into the parenting role for first-time parents, as they
incorporated the baby into their family unit. This study, supported by
research, is based on the premise that every first time parent requires
some degree of physical and emotional support in the immediate and
early postpartum period. It is a study that stresses the benefits of
universal post partum support.
Fifteen couples volunteered to participate. These couples met
the criteria of being first time parents, anticipating an uncomplicated
delivery, and had maintained a dyadic relationship for a minimum of
one year. The first interview was scheduled in the third trimester. The
participants were either recruited from pre-natal exercise programs, or
responded to posted flyers, word-of-mouth and snowball effect. The
individuals in each dyad agreed to be interviewed separately.
Elements included in the assessment protocol were developed from
an in-depth review of the literature and gleaned from personal clinical
experiences. An open-ended qualitative interview was designed to
capture the assessment elements. Categories in each element
represented predictors for needed support. At the end of the interview
each individual was asked to choose from a list of support options
which he/she believed would prove to be helpful in the immediate post
partum period. Support needs were categorized according to the
number of predictors that were flagged. The results ranged from
minimum, moderate or maximum support required.
Couples were interviewed one month after the birth. Results
from the protocol were compared with what support they truly received
and/or needed. The protocol accurately assessed the degree of
necessary support. All couples agreed they did not know what they
would actually need. There was discrepancy between perceived and
actual need. All agreed that the first two weeks post partum were the
most important time to have both formal and informal support. Three
elements that predicted an easier transition were ego development
and how individuals functioned as a couple.