The women's conceptions about their mental health during the puerperal period

Abstract

The postpartum period, the period immediately after childbirth, is a phase of significant fragility for women's mental health. During this phase, intense hormonal, physical and emotional changes occur, which can contribute to the development of mental suffering. The general objective of this research was to understand how women conceive of their mental health during the postpartum period. This is a qualitative, exploratory investigation carried out in the area covered by a Family Health Unit (USF) in a city in the interior of the state of Bahia. This investigation involved women who were going through the postpartum phase. Descriptions of the experiences were collected in their homes, through guided interviews based on a semi-structured script. After the interviews, the textual material was subjected to the thematic content analysis technique proposed by Bardin. The results were organized into three thematic categories: women's conception of their mental health during the postpartum period; social and family support network as a fundamental element in the postpartum period; strategies used by postpartum women to cope with the adversities of the postpartum period. The analyses demonstrated that the postpartum period was marked mainly by feelings of anxiety, fatigue and insecurity, also highlighting the lack of a support network and professional monitoring, as factors that contribute to the worsening of psychological distress. Therefore, the study contributes to the reflection on the importance of mental health care in the postpartum period, reinforcing the need for more welcoming and comprehensive care for women during this period.

Keywords: Nursing Care; Pregnancy; Postpartum period; Mental Health.