“Never the same again” : a descriptive qualitative inquiry into postpartum experiences of first-time mothers in the oti region of Ghana

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is a crucial yet often neglected stage of childbirth in Ghana. Cultural expectations and societal norms often lead some women—especially first-time mothers with no prior experience—to focus more on childbirth as a significant life event, while their postpartum well-being remains overlooked. However, childbirth often brings physical, emotional, social, and psychological changes that need to be carefully managed for the greater well-being of the mother and child. Aim: This study investigates the postpartum experiences of first-time mothers in the Oti Region of Ghana with the Biopsychosocial Model as its theoretical foundation. Methods: Achored on qualitative methods, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 first-time mothers to explore themes such as physical health challenges, psychological distress, and social support during postpartum. Findings: Diverse postpartum experiences were established among the first-time mothers, which highlight the pivotal roles of spousal, familial, and healthcare support in shaping maternal well-being during this critical post-childbirth period. Specifically, these supportive resources helped these first-time mothers through physical health, psychological, emotional, neurological, and sensory issues. However, these social support systems were uneven, thereby creating differential postpartum experiences. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the need for policy and interventions to enhance comprehensive access to postpartum care, address healthcare delivery gaps, and promote culturally sensitive maternal health services. Healthcare providers must therefore adopt holistic care strategies that covers the physical, emotional, and social dimensions of postpartum health. These should include follow-ups, mental health screenings, and personalized postpartum education, and care. Finally, future research should prioritize postpartum care and long-term health outcomes in addition to mechanisms that strengthen social support systems and advance maternal health nationwide.