Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives
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An important part of maternity service provision is the care provided by midwives in the immediate postpartum period. Evidence suggests that postpartum morbidity and its impact on women's health after childbirth is an area of genuine concern. In Western Australia there is limited information on women's postpartum health needs and/or the quality of midwifery care provided in hospital and at home. This paper describes Western Australian (WA) women's perceptions of midwifery care in the early postpartum period. ⋯ Although the majority of women in this study were satisfied with the components of physical care and information and assistance with infant feeding and sleep and settling provided in the short-term, there was less satisfaction with emotional care and preparation for life at home with a new baby. This study adds to our understandings of women's experiences of the early postnatal period and provides information on which to base improvements in postnatal care and maternity services in WA and across Australia.