This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Arborelius, E. Articles by Lindell, D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Arborelius, E. Articles by Lindell, D. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Psychological Aspects of Early and Late Discharge after Hospital Delivery

An Interview Study of 44 Familiess

Elisabeth Arborelius Ph D Hagmarksgatan 8 A S-58235 Linköping Sweden

Ditte Lindell

From the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Linköping and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Motala Hospital, Motala, Sweden

Early discharge after hospital delivery is common in other countries. In Sweden it was not introduced until recent years. Previous investigations have mainly focused on medical risk factors. However, few investigations have been done regarding psychological factors. This study, comprising 44 families (7 primaparae and 37 multiparae) in an early discharge group (discharge 0-2 days after hospital birth) and a late discharge group (discharge 5-6 days), indicates that parents in the early discharge group had more negative experiences of their earlier postpartum stay. The mothers in the early discharge group experienced less sibling revalry compared to the mothers in the control group. There were no other differences between the groups. The parents were equally satisfied with their choices in both groups. Early discharge, as a voluntary alternative, presents an increased service for parents, since the parents may choose the most suitable postpartum care.

Key Words: early discharge • postpartum care • psychology.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 17, No. 1, 103-107 (1989)
DOI: 10.1177/140349488901700115


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?