POSTPARTUM STRESS AMONG PRIMIPAROUS AND MULTIPAROUS MOTHERS:

BASIS FOR DEVELOPING POSTPARTUM STRESS COPING MECHANISM

Ankeshi Anand, Keziah Luz A. Cruz, Ralph Erickson Q. Farnacio, Daphne Kate L. Gayasco, Jona Shaine N. Langbay, Cora

Magdalene S. Macaspac, Justin Paolo T. Magsanoc, Jeziel Beatriz V. Nalupa, Aditya Tiwari

College of Medicine, Lyceum-Northwestern University, Dagupan City, Pangasinan

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The present study aimed to (1) to identify the profile of primiparous and multiparous

women in terms of parity, (2) to determine the perception of primiparous and multiparous women

in regard to post-partum stressors, and (3) to find out the difference between perception of

primiparous and multiparous women in regard to post-partum stressors.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 24 primiparous and 29 multiparous women

at Dagupan City Health Office, Dagupan City, Pangasinan who were scheduled for outpatient

consultation. They had no history of medical and psychological problems and has healthy term

neonates. The sampling was carried out through purposive sampling. Data were collected using

Perceived Stress Scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-test

for two-sample means.

Results: For both primiparous and multiparous women, a larger percentage favored planned

pregnancy over unplanned, normal delivery over caesarian, satisfaction over non-satisfaction on

baby’s sex, single over multiple child birth, successful pregnancy over miscarriage or medical

abortion. Primiparous women prefer breastfeeding, whereas multiparous prefers mixed method

of feeding the baby. The mean stress levels were 2.66 in primiparous and 2.71 in multiparous
women. The top 3 postpartum stressors for primiparous women are “Fussy baby”,

“Breastfeeding”, and “Lack of sleep.” For multiparous women, the top 3 postpartum stressors are

“Lack of sleep”, “Fussy baby” and “Financial worries.” Based on the t-test score of -0.41, there is

no significant difference between the perceptions of primiparous and multiparous women in

regard to postpartum stress.

Conclusion: Postnatal mothers are suffering from perceived postpartum stress in attaining

maternal role, dealing with negative body changes and in lack of social support. It is evident that

there is a need to address the problem and give proper guidance to the postnatal mothers.