Experiences of Sanhujori Facility Use among the First Time Mothers by the Focus Group Interview

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of Sanhujori facility use among the first time mothers in Korea.

A qualitative study was conducted, using focus group interview. Data were collected from the 24 first time mothers of 4 focus groups, who had given birth within 6 month and had used one of the Sanhujori facilities located in C province, Korea. After obtaining written informed consent from all participants, each session of the focus group was audio-taped and transcribed into verbatim. Data were analyzed using content analysis in order to identify significant themes.

Four major themes that emerged from the data were as follows. 1) Promoting postpartum physical recovery through a enough time with only focusing on herself, 2) Promoting postpartum psychological recovery through emotional and informational support with peer mothers, 3) Experiencing breast feeding difficulties and disappointing with unsatisfied help from health professionals, and 4) Lack of the professional education programs regarding parenting.

Based on these results, it will be suggested that the various support programs by not only the peer mothers co-resided in Sanhujori facilities but also the health care professionals in the Sanhujori facilities should be developed for helping a "becoming a mother" of the first time mother in the Sanhujori facilities. In addition, qualified education and counseling program, especially for the successful breast feeding, should be provided by the health care professionals for improving mothering ability of the first time mother in the Sanhujori facilities.