ABSTRACT:
Postnatal care is essential for maternal and infant survival, yet women's experiences in many Nigerian contexts remain poorly understood. This research examines the lived experiences and perceived consequences of postnatal care according to mothers at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, and how satisfaction and health-seeking behaviour is affected by emotion, institution, and culture. A mixed-methods design involving phenomenology was employed. Quantitative data for 248 women were assessed using descriptive statistics and chi-square testing. 10 purposively sampled participants underwent in-depth interviews and their transcripts were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke’s six steps. Integration at interpretation level occurred to enhance depth in insights within findings. Quantitative data indicated moderate satisfaction with services, but qualitative themes highlighted more profound concerns. The following four major themes were identified: struggles and mental and emotional health concerns, challenges and success with breastfeeding, communication gaps among staff, and systemic deficits in services. The participants’ highlighted inadequate provision of psychosocial support, disagreement over cultural practices ('Omugwo'), delayed waiting times, and ambiguity over follow-up arrangements as major hindrances to quality services despite their trust in the facility’s clinical ability. Findings reveal a gap between technical competence and emotional sensitivity in postnatal care. Although clinical services in general were valued, omission of mental health, misalignment with culture, and lack of information generated discontent. Support from peers generally made up for institutional losses, showing that one must reconsider care based on a holistic and culturally rooted approach. Postnatal services at FMC Umuahia have technical infrastructure support but lack personal, respectful, and culturally responsive services. Interventions pertinent to effective training of empathetic providers, integration into practice of psychosocial services, and engagement with community actors to align traditional and clinical practice are indicated. Supplying take-home educational materials, organizing clinic flow better, and codifying peer support networks have been shown to improve women's satisfaction, emotional well-being, and general health outcomes in comparable low-resource settings.
Cite this article:
Chidinma Grace Eluwa, Faith C. Diorgu. The Lived Experiences and Perceived Outcomes of Postnatal Care among women receiving services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia - Nigeria. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(2):129-5. doi: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00026
Cite(Electronic):
Chidinma Grace Eluwa, Faith C. Diorgu. The Lived Experiences and Perceived Outcomes of Postnatal Care among women receiving services at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia - Nigeria. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(2):129-5. doi: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00026 Available on: https://ijneronline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-14-2-9
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