The effect of a hospital initiated postpartum support group on the self-esteem of primary cesarean delivered mothers: and their perceptions of their birth experiences

Twenty-seven women who delivered by primary cesarean at LDS Hospital were studied to determine whether a hospital initiated postpartum support group made perceptions of birth and self-esteem more positive. Twelve women comprised the experimental group and attended a support group meeting lasting one hour on their third or fourth postpartum day. All the subjects completed two questionnaires the evening before their discharge. The support group did not significantly affect the cesarean delivered mothers' perceptions of their births or their self-esteem. However, mothers that attended the support group meeting did have a more positive perception of their sense of control during labor and delivery. Also, the support group seemed to make their perceptions of labor more positive. There is a need for further study of factors that may enhance the cesarean birth experience for families.