Self-care and Health Care in Postpartum Women with Obesity: A Qualitative Study

Abstract Objective To explore the experiences of women with obesity regarding self-care and the care provided by their families and health team after childbirth. Methods A clinical qualitative study performed at the Postnatal Outpatient Clinic of Hospital da Mulher, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil. The sample was selected using the saturation criteria, with 16 women with obesity up to 6 months after childbirth. Results The analysis comprised three categories: 1) postnatal self-care; 2) family support for woman after childbirth; and 3) postnatal health care service for women with obesity. Conclusion Women with obesity need support from the health team and from their families after childbirth, when they are overwhelmed by the exhausting care for the newborn. The present study reveals how important it is for health care professionals to broaden their perception and care provided after childbirth for women with obesity so they may experience an improvement in their quality of health and of life.

摘要 研究目的：探讨肥胖女性产后的自我照护体验，以及其家属与医疗团队所提供的照护状况。方法：本研究为临床质性研究，于巴西坎皮纳斯州立大学妇女医院产后门诊开展。研究样本以饱和准则选取，共纳入16名产后6个月内的肥胖女性。结果：经分析共提炼出三大类别：1）产后自我照护；2）产后女性的家庭支持；3）肥胖女性产后医疗照护服务。结论：肥胖女性在产后需耗费大量精力照护新生儿，此时常陷入身心疲惫的状态，亟需医疗团队与家庭的支持。本研究揭示，医疗照护从业者需拓宽对肥胖女性产后照护的认知与服务范畴，从而提升其健康水平与生活质量。