Aeroflow Healthcare Survey: New Moms Not Receiving Adequate Education and Resources to Prepare Them for the First Six Weeks Postpartum
Almost all new moms (90%) believe educating mothers about what to expect/resources available during the first six weeks postpartum can and should be improved.
ASHEVILLE, N.C., May 14, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Aeroflow Healthcare today announced the results of a proprietary survey designed to highlight the experiences and struggles faced by new moms during the first six weeks postpartum, also known as the first 42 days. The third party-administered survey polled 394 women living in the United States with children between the ages 0-1 and was completed over a span of three days in March 2020. To download the full survey results, please click here.
Notable survey results include:
- Almost all new moms (90%) believe educating mothers about what to expect/resources available during the first six weeks postpartum can and should be improved
- An overwhelming majority of new moms (76%) were not given information or guidance regarding any products/medical devices that may help with recovery
- The top things new moms struggled with most in the first six weeks postpartum include breastfeeding (66%), followed by postpartum depression/anxiety (48%) and social support isolation (39%)
- One-in-four new moms (25%) report not feeling like they had access to the necessary care to address any/all of the above issues
- Nearly three-in-five new moms (59%) felt they needed assistance to breastfeed comfortably and successfully
- The majority of new moms (66%) report the postpartum period was more difficult than they thought it would be, which not surprisingly resulted in more than half (56%) having family/friends stay with them to help out—especially for the 25% of new moms that had to go back to work within the first six weeks after giving birth
- Half of moms (50%) report not feeling prepared in what to expect and how to care for their body the first six weeks postpartum
- Nearly one-in-five (19%) new moms report not being provided guidance regarding symptoms that may indicate a health concern after delivery, and when to raise these concerns to a doctor
These survey results highlight the profound hardships new moms experience when navigating the first six weeks postpartum, with many not receiving the necessary education and resources to aid in recovery and caring for a newborn. With women's bodies undergoing drastic changes throughout and after pregnancy, new moms are experiencing physical symptoms including breast engorgement and pain (70%), soreness/pain in the vaginal and rectal areas (64%) and abdominal/uterine cramping (63%) while trying to figure out how to breastfeed successfully and properly care for a newborn.
New moms need all the support and information possible from their doctors and midwives, as almost half (48%) reported primarily feeling stressed and overwhelmed during this time. For example, a new mom's first postpartum check-up typically takes place following the first six weeks after giving birth, but nearly two-in-five (38%) saw a healthcare provider within the first two weeks. While some of these women certainly may have required medical advice/attention, this shows there is a lot of uncertainty around what to expect and how to care for themselves and their baby during this time. As a result, many new moms are leaning on friends and family (64%) as opposed to their OB or midwife (46%) to gather information on what to expect during the postpartum period.
"The weeks following birth are a very nerve-wracking and uncertain time for new moms, which is why they need to feel fully equipped with what to expect during their recovery and how to care for their baby," said Dr. Jessica Madden, Medical Director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. "Before moms leave the hospital with their newborns, it's imperative that they feel confident in knowing the symptoms they will experience as their body recovers, when severity of symptoms indicate a more serious issue and the resources available to them to help with the process—especially when it comes to medical devices that will aid in healing."
"We hope this study raises awareness about the need to improve postpartum education through all stages of a pregnancy and shows new moms all over the country that they are not alone in the challenges they face. Women need all the support possible to help them through this six-week period, so it's important that they are not in the dark about where to turn to alleviate pain and discomfort as their bodies recover," said Jennifer Jordan, Director of Mom and Baby at Aeroflow Healthcare. "Aeroflow proudly supports all new moms throughout their motherhood journey and remains committed to providing them with the highest quality tools, resources and medical devices to make the transition as smooth as possible."
About Aeroflow Healthcare
Aeroflow Healthcare was founded in Asheville, NC in 2001 as a home oxygen provider, and has since grown to become a nationwide provider of durable medical equipment. In 2017, Aeroflow was also awarded the HME Excellence Award for Best Home Medical Equipment Provider and has been recognized as a business offering top-notch benefits to employees with the Great Place to Work Award. Aeroflow is an accredited Medicare and Medicaid provider and accepts most commercial insurance. To learn more about Aeroflow Healthcare and getting medical equipment through insurance, visit http://www.aeroflowinc.com.
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Aeroflow Contact
Carly Fleming
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SOURCE Aeroflow Healthcare
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