Majority of women say length of maternity stay at MidCentral Health was ‘just right’

02/06/2010 | Maternity stay at MidCentral, 'just right'

Ninety five percent of mothers, including those who had caesarean section births in MidCentral Health maternity units recently, say their length of stay in hospital was ‘just right” a survey of nearly 200 women has found.

Since last October 197 women completed a MidCentral Health maternity survey designed to capture the satisfaction of mothers, and to meet a Ministry of Health requirement to offer longer stays for first time mothers.

The requirement came out of a 2008 maternity service users’ survey that nationally found 13% of those who gave birth in a hospital or birthing unit went home before they felt ready.

MidCentral Health’s survey asks key questions to help it monitor satisfaction of mothers and collect other statistics including: demographics and age ranges; whether a first time mother; length of stay in hospital; reason for length of stay, and rating for their length of stay.

Of the 197 respondents, 39% were first time mothers. There were 116 “uncomplicated” births, and 57 women who delivered by caesarean section, of which 22 (39%) were first time mothers.

The majority of women having caesarean sections stayed in hospital between four to five days, 13 stayed two to three days, and two women stayed more than six days.

When women were asked to rate the length of stay in hospital, 188 (95%) rated their stay as ‘just right’; five mothers (3%) said their stay was too long; and four mothers (2%) rated their stay too short.

Of the respondents who rated their stays too long or too short – one from each category had caesarean section births, but did not elaborate on their responses.

MidCentral Health Midwifery Director Leona Dann said the Women’s Health Unit was delighted with the survey results, especially the really positive responses from first time mothers.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945