What are women stressed about after birth?

Background: Having a baby is associated with a variety of stressors, change and adjustment. This study aimed to identify what women find stressful during the early postpartum period in contemporary Western society. Methods: Women (n = 148) 6-12 weeks postpartum wrote anonymously about a situation they found stressful as part of the Health after Birth Trial of expressive writing. Transcripts were analyzed for categories of stressors and cross-cutting themes. Results: Five categories of stressors were identified. Stressors in pregnancy, labour and the early postpartum period (49.3%) included physical and emotional difficulties, as well as insensitive treatment by health professionals. Stressors related to adjusting to life with a baby (35.8%) included difficulties coping with a new baby, parenting, juggling responsibilities, changes to physical health, and loneliness. Stressors related to the baby’s health (32.4%) included infant digestive problems, acute health problems, long-term impact, and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit experiences. Stressors related to breastfeeding (23.7%) included pressure to breastfeed, feeling like a ‘bad mum’ for not breastfeeding, or wanting to breastfeed and not being able to. Other stressors related to changing relationships (18.2%): with their partner, children and other family members. Cross-cutting themes that emerged in different stressor categories were women making negative self-appraisals (e.g. a bad mum, failure), feeling guilty, and lack of support from others. Discussion: Our findings emphasise the importance of exploring stressors and psychological well being with women to provide support, help women’s adjustment postpartum, and ensure interventions are offered when appropriate