[Evaluation of the perception of postpartum stressors at the Marseille Gynepole]

Maternity stay following childbirth corresponds to the early postpartum period. Birth-related events may be perceived as a major source of stress by women and these events can cause certain disorders during this period, such as anxiety and postnatal depression. The aim of this study was to investigate women's perception of post-delivery stress factors.

An overall descriptive study of the target population (n = 206) was carried out and primiparous (n = 96) and multiparous (n = 110) women were then compared in two level III public maternity units in the Marseille Gynépole. The Post-Delivery Perceived Stress Inventory (PDPSI) was the psychometric scale used to collect data. A correlation between the various items of the PDPSI was investigated.

The experience of childbirth is perceived as the main stress factor by 45% of mothers. This factor was significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with 3 items of the PDPSI and very significantly correlated (p < 0.001) with 11 of the 16 items constituting the other 4 factors of the PDPSI. Primiparous women significantly perceived (p < 0.05) childbirth as being more stressful than multiparous women. They also felt very significantly (p < 0.001) more stressed by care activities (bathing, changing) related to the relationship with the newborn factor.

These results encourage implementation of guidelines and the organization of informal ?conversations? in the maternity unit, and to conduct an early postnatal consultation at home for these mothers concerning their childbirth experience, which could be ensured by adequate social support based on empathic listening and reassuring actions about parenting.