Abstract:
The aim of our study is to determine the importance of various aspects of delivery and post-natal care for women in the third trimester of pregnancy, and the analysis of relationship of these aspects to selected personal variables also in the context of the relationship with the yet unborn child. In this exploratory study, 94 pregnant respondents participated, including 72% of primiparous and 28% of multiparous women. The participants completed the MFAS questionnaire and a survey in the form of closed questions. The results show that women preparing for childbirth considered as very important medical standards included in the Regulation of the Minister of Health: freedom and the opportunity to decide on issues related to birth and care of a newborn child, as well as care and support from professionals and the loved ones; however, only a third of respondents prepared or are planning to prepare a birth plan. Primiparas, despite a lower sense of preparation for childbirth as compared with multiparas, valued more the availability of natural than pharmacological measures to reduce the pain, and hoped to receive staff's help at the first stages of child care, which shows the need for post-natal care and support of women, especially those who gave birth to their first child/children. The multiparas found the first breastfeeding immediately after birth as more important than the primiparas. Our results indicate the importance of treating problems with conceiving for the strength of the bond with the unborn child, and show that significant factors for the strength of bond with the unborn child is a longer contact time with the baby immediately after birth and importance attributed to the access to education and counseling.
