Abstract:

Background: Post-partum period, which is a period of six weeks after child birth, is said to be the most challenging period for a mother and the family, women are vulnerable to health problems that are directly related to child birth and to compromised self-care. Young and firsttime mothers experience a transition to parenthood which is thought to be stressful and challenging to cope with, as well as poor emotional wellbeing. Several studies have been conducted but social support and lived experiences are not well documented. This study explored the needs and lived experiences of the young and first-time mothers from two districts of Mwanza city, Ilemela and Nyamagana districts.

Method: The present study involved women of reproductive age who are first time mothers (irrespective of their age) as well as young mothers (i.e., individual mothers below the age of 20 years, irrespective of the parity status) in Nyamagana and Ilemela Districts in Mwanza region. Participants recruited from May to July, 2022. Women’s experiences and needs were explored using In-depth interviews and focus group discussions using phenomenology approach of qualitative design. Data transcribed verbatim, translated, categorized, and coded. Data analyzed by using NVIvo 12 Computers Software.

Results: Most of the respondents were mothers who was their first time to experience the postpartum period (77.8%). Most of the participants in this study explore that post-partum period for the young and first-time mothers is a very stressfully period for a mother who is assuming for the new roles and responsibilities. Mothers have essential basic needs after delivery and moreover they face both positive and negative experiences. Lack of information on motherhood and afterbirth care emerged - I would have liked if someone would have had talked to me before. Psychosocial health emerged to be a neglected public health problem.

Discussion: Some needs of the first time mothers are met while others remain unmet. Good relation, overstretched health system and sleeplessness at night seem to be different from Mwanza. While stress and depression, Isolation, increase in needs, Pride and happiness seem to be similar for most mothers in all parts of the world.

Conclusion: Individuals first time and young mothers transition into motherhood roles, reestablishment of relationships, and the struggle to meet physical and emotional needs of her infant and other family member’s calls for public health attention. The lived experiences among first time and young mothers could be of vital importance to future mothers as a lesson learnt.