Sammanfattning
Background: In Norway and other European countries, women are less satisfied with the postnatal care they receive than with the antenatal and birthing care. Postnatal care in Norway is changing, with the number of nights in hospital being reduced, including for women who have undergone a caesarean section.
Objective: To investigate women’s perceptions of the physical health care they received in the maternity ward following an emergency caesarean section.
Method: Qualitative study involving a convenience sample consisting of ten women who had given birth by emergency caesarean section. We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews and analysed the data using systematic text condensation.
Results: The analysis highlighted four themes: the post-surgery experiences of new mothers, perceptions of continuity and midwifery presence, the importance of knowledge and good information, and the value of a partner’s presence.
Conclusion: The study shows that women who had given birth by emergency caesarean section felt that they received poor physical health care in the maternity ward.