Purpose: To explore the psycho-adaptive changes and the level of psychological growth after childbirth among first-time mothers.
Design and methods: This study used a descriptive qualitative approach. Using the purposeful sampling method, 18 primiparous women who received postnatal care between August and September 2017 were interviewed.
Findings: The women's experiences about psycho-adaptive changes were collected under eight main themes. These themes were change in values, change in personality, change in hand skills and time management, change in priorities, change in problem-solving skills, increase in self-esteem, change in social life, and change in relations, respectively.
Practical implications: Nurses should assume important responsibilities, such as childbirth education needs, psycho-adaptive features of the mothering process, culturally-sensitive antenatal visits, and childcare.
Keywords: parturition; postpartum period; psychology; psycological growth.
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