| Abstrakt: |
The purpose of this study was to examine the self-care activities of mothers who live in remote locations without childbearing facilities during gestation and childbirth so as to provide healthcare guidance in accordance with their established self-care activities. Methods We conducted a focus group interview and qualitative descriptive analysis with nine mothers, who live on remote islands without childbearing facilities, within one year of delivery. In the study, multigravidas (women who have been pregnant before) provided responses based on their experience of raising children. Results Mothers living on remote islands without childbearing facilities reported that they gathered information from the Internet or consulted experienced individuals during their pregnancies and practiced self-care for their bodies and fetuses with their families' assistance. They visited the hospital in response to changes in their physical condition, carefully observed bleeding, and ate meals in accordance with their cultural traditions. During the postpartum recovery period, they undertook traditional self-care, with a focus on responding to abnormal symptoms, taking home remedies at an early stage in response to changes in their physical condition, hospital visits, and investigating breast abnormalities. The cultural traditions reported include not doing needlework or working with water after childbirth, and drinking fish juice to increase breast milk output. Conclusion Mothers living on remote islands without childbearing facilities did not handle their own labor; however, as a result of a strong desire to avoid unnecessary travel and living in locations without resident obstetricians, they skillfully detected abnormal symptoms and responded on their own. In order for women to undergo pregnancy and postpartum periods safely on remote islands without childbearing facilities, they must be able to sense changes themselves, and should be provided with accurate information from doctors, public health nurses, and other healthcare professionals. In the future, the healthcare industry must be aware of these trends and should have an increased responsibility in providing relevant information to mothers in remote locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
