Maternal lived experience of primiparous mothers (from childbirth to one-year-old): a phenomenological study

Introduction: Family changes significantly by childbirth, which requires the family system to reconstruct in all aspects of life. These changes may cause tremendous challenges to mothers especially for the newborn. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore primiparous mothers’ experiences (childbirth to one-year-old).

Methods: This descriptive phenomenological (Husserl) qualitative research explored the lived experiences of nine primiparous mothers (childbirth to one-year-old) through individual interviews. Data were collected, documented, coded and organized in main themes and subthemes.

Results: Six main themes and seventeen subthemes emerged from data analysis (main themes include problems after childbirth, disturbing parents’ educational function, perceived emotions and excitements, perception of educational sources, perception of mother’s role process motivators, and perception of growth-nurture supports).

Conclusion: Exploring the lived experiences of primiparous mothers leads to a better understanding of their real needs and this can be used by care-planners and caregivers for providing better care to these mothers. Better planning and caring for primiparous mothers decreases their worries and helps them play their maternal role appropriately.