Postpartum needs and experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania.

Objective: To explore postpartum needs and lived experiences of young and first-time mothers in northwestern Tanzania. Methods: This descriptive, phenomenological, qualitative study was conducted between April and July 2022. Participants included young mothers (<20 years old) and first-time mothers within 6 weeks postpartum. Data were collected via 20 in-depth interviews (IDIs) and seven focus group discussions (FGDs) with 42 participants from government health facilities in Mwanza City. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated into English, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The majority of participants (77.8%) were first-time mothers; 69.4% of the respondents were aged 25-35 years. Three themes emerged: postpartum needs, positive experiences, and negative experiences. Postpartum needs included informational support, psychological support, and practical assistance. Positive experiences included pride in motherhood, bonding with the infant, and increased confidence. Negative experiences included sleep disturbances, breastfeeding challenges, changes in appetite, anxiety, and emotional distress, exacerbated by limited support. Conclusion: Young and first-time mothers face significant physical, emotional, and informational challenges in the postpartum period. Strengthening social support and targeted postnatal interventions is critical to improving maternal and infant outcomes in high-burden settings.