Giving Young Mothers a Voice about their own care

Abstract

<p>This research project is based in a secondary analysis of data from The Ontario Mother and Infant Survey (TOMIS II) that considers women's perceptions of health care services. Of particular interest in this secondary analysis were the perceptions of young mothers aged 16-21. Three topics pertaining to intrapartum and postpartum care that were surveyed in the TOMIS II study were presented to young mothers in a focus group format. These topics include: (a) length of stay, (b) satisfaction of service (during and after delivery), and (c) learning needs. In addition to validating the quantitative data of the TOMIS II study, the focus group findings helped to interpret the data. The young mothers who participated in the focus groups for this research project clearly identified that supportive nursing care is critical to their intrapartum and postpartum experience. Among other recommendations, enhancing interpersonal qualities of health care professionals who work alongside young mothers during their hospital stay is essential for improving young mothers' level of satisfaction with services.</p>