Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.22(1) > 1089554

Song, Park, and Roh: The Postnatal Care Experiences among First Time Chinese Immigrant Mothers Living in Korea

Abstract

Purpose

This study was to explore the postnatal care experiences among first time Chinese immigrant mothers living in Korea.

Methods

Data were collected by focus group interviews with 12 first time Chinese immigrant mothers utilizing 3 focus groups. After obtaining written informed consent from all participants, each session of the focus group was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed by content analysis to identify major themes.

Results

Four major themes for postnatal care experiences were extracted from the data as follows. 1) Range over traditional, modern, Korean or Chinese postnatal care, 2) Struggle with newborn care, 3) Another struggle with breastfeeding, and 4) Difficulties in becoming a mother as an immigrant.

Conclusion

Based on their postpartum care experiences, it is concluded that participants requested more professional practical and individualized education/training for successful breastfeeding and newborn care. Health care providers need to develop and implement integrated support and mentoring programs that include information and peer support system for the first time Chinese immigrant mothers living in Korea. This would decrease the difficulties of becoming a mother.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Information of Study Participants

kjwhn-22-48-i001
Participant No. Ethic background Age (year) Education Occupation Baby's age (month) Baby' sex Staying in Korea (year) Delivery method Postpartum care place (weeks) Postpartum caregiver Other
G1-P1 Korean-Chinese 29 High school Yes 10 Female 4 c/sec Sanhujoriwon (2), and then own house (3) Sanhujoriwon / mother -
G1-P2 Korean-Chinese 28 High school No 8 Female 3 NSVD Sanhujoriwon (2), and then own house (3) Sanhujoriwon / mother-in-law -
G1-P3 Korean-Chinese 29 College No 7 Male 3 NSVD Own house (4) mother & mother-in-law -
G1-P4 Korean-Chinese 32 College No 9 Male 3 NSVD Sanhujoriwon (2), and then own house (2) Sanhujoriwon / mother -
G2-P1 Chinese 31 High school No 14 Male 2 NSVD Own house (8) mother -
G2-P2 Chinese 29 Graduate school Yes 9 Male 2 NSVD Sanhujoriwon (3), and then own house (1) Sanhujoriwon / husband -
G2-P3 Chinese 30 College No 7 Female 2 NSVD Parent's house in China (4), and then own house (2) mother / mother-in-law Living with mother-in law
G2-P4 Chinese 35 College Yes 20 Female 3 NSVD Own house (8) mother / postnatal helper -
G2-P5 Chinese 28 High school No 13 Male 2 NSVD Own house (4) mother-in-law -
G3-P1 Chinese 34 College No 6 Female 3 NSVD Sanhujoriwon (2), and then own house (2) Sanhujoriwon / postnatal helper -
G3-P2 Chinese 28 College No 15 Male 9 c/sec Sanhujoriwon (2), and then own house (2) Sanhujoriwon / mother -
G3-P3 Korean-Chinese 29 College No 13 Male 2 NSVD Parent's house in Korea (8) mother Family-of-origin immigrant

G: number of focus groups, P: number of participants

Table 2

Analysis of the Postnatal Care Experiences and Needs among First Time Mothers of Chinese Immigrants

kjwhn-22-48-i002
Categories Sub-categories
Range over traditional, modern, Korean or Chinese postnatal care Put together traditional and modern temperature management
Selective Combine Korean and Chinese diet for postnatal care
Some experience the benefits of postnatal care of modern Korean styles.
Keep minimum period of Chinese postpartum care using various Korean care benefits
Struggle with newborn care Difficulties due to insufficient know-how in newborn care
Run into trouble while taking care of newborn alone
Inconvenience due to lack of skill training for newborn care
Another struggle with breast feeding Experience breast pain which can be worse than labor
Much effort and worry over breast feeding
Increased difficulty in breast feeding due to insufficient individualized support
Difficulties in becoming a mother as an immigrants Loneliness as a mother on the border
Stifling due to Korean information in child rearing
Fretting for continuous mentor to be a good mother.

Notes

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(NRF-2014R1A1A1007686).

Summary Statement

▪ What is already known about this topic?
Mothering is a difficult situation for first time mother. Moreover, it is more complex mothers are immigrants in a host country.
▪ What this paper adds?
Improved understanding of the postnatal care experiences among the first time Chinese immigrant mothers living in Korea. Also needs for support for postnatal care were explained.
▪ Implications for practice, education and/or policy
Nursing intervention programs for immigrant mothers should be developed and applied with more culturally friendly, practical and individualized manner especially for successful breastfeeding, newborn care and further child-rearing issues.

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