What are the lived experiences regarding partner’s support on the postpartum care provided in Gaborone, Botswana

Introduction:

Partner’s support for mothers during postpartum care has been found to be beneficial in reducing maternal mortality in developing and developed countries. Partners give the postpartum mothers psychological, social, emotional and financial support. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of partners on the postpartum care support provided by midwives in Gaborone, Botswana.

 Methods:

Purposive sampling was employed on partners in clinics in Gaborone. An in-depth interview guide was utilized to solicit data from 12 partners at 4-6 weeks postpartum. The referral to partners was received from mothers who were discharged from the facilities postpartum. Ethical clearance and research permission was obtained. Data gathered from fathers was analyze.

Thematic content analysis was employed, the data and generated themes from the qualitative data obtained from partners was used. Initial preparation of data was done, Data analysis involved the formation of categories, patterns, and clusters. Validity and reliability were ensured: Data transcription was done by the researcher and the assistant separately. The researcher was involved throughout the study. Reliability was ensured by checking transcriptions and coding for omissions and mistakes.

Results: Themes which emerged from the analysis were Insufficient knowledge, inadequate care and support by midwives, believed that culturally the biological parents of the mother to the neonate be involved in postpartum care.

Conclusion, this study confirms that partners were not involved in the care of their postpartum mothers, nor given information or guidance to that effect. The study further indicate that partner support has been found to be in-effective during the transition period and help given to mothers and neonates was insufficient. Partners reported that postpartum care was a burden and demanding. Partners should be involved during the postpartum care process.