Problem description
83 percent of all Flemish women are mothers. This concerns an estimated incidence of 29,000 nulliparae and 36,000 multiparae. Becoming a mother and motherhood, is a life event and a transition process with impact on the life balance of mothers. Finding a balance in the role of mother and the formation of new or renewed motherhood is associated with maternal life balance that manifests itself in finding a balance in oneself, in relationships, within the family and in society.
Research goal
The exploration and description of the course of the transition to motherhood among women in Flanders and the role of the midwife in this period to support maternal life balance.
Sub goals:
- Gain insight into the continuum of maternal life balance during the transition period to motherhood
- Understand women's needs for midwifery support during the transition period to motherhood in support of life balance
- Gain insight into the perceptions of midwives concerning their care behaviour and the associated behavioural determinants to support maternal life balance
- Gain insight into the perceptions of experts concerns support for the transition to motherhood in order to promote maternal life balance
Secondary goal:
- Create a database for life-balance & health education
Theoretical framework
Maternal life balance is approached from these theories: life balance, transition, sense of coherence and maternal distress.The starting point of this project is that care for (expectant) mothers in the current health care system lies primarily with the midwife.
Methodology
Mixed methods study with different substudies:
- Cross-sectional research into the continuum of maternal life balance during the period of transition to motherhood;
- Q-method into midwives' perceptions of their role in supporting transition to motherhood;
- Qualitative research into the experiences and perceptions of Flemish women concerning their need for support by midwives with the transition to motherhood;
- Delphi study of experts' opinions on supporting life balance during the transition to motherhood by midwives.