Saberes y experiencias de autocuidado durante el puerperio inmediato y mediato en madres de las comunidades de Jimbilla de la provincia de Loja. 2024 - 2025

Abstract

Abstract: This research project on the knowledge and experiences of self-care during the immediate and intermediate postpartum periods employed a qualitative, phenomenological approach among mothers in the rural community of Jimbilla in the province of Loja. Participants were purposefully selected based on having recently experienced the immediate and intermediate postpartum periods, in addition to meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through semistructured interviews conducted with four mothers in their homes, and theoretical saturation of the data was achieved. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and verified by the researchers and subsequently processed and coded using axial coding with Atlas.Ti software. The study was conducted in accordance with COREQ criteria to ensure transparency and methodological quality. Based on the analysis, two main categories were identified: knowledge and experiences. Within these, subcategories related to self-care emerged; among the most relevant findings were the use of traditional medicine such as medicinal plants for personal hygiene, specific dietary practices, protection from the cold, adherence to quarantine, and the preservation of ancestral knowledge. The study also highlighted the essential role of family and emotional support for both the mother and her social circle. Postpartum maternal self-care is shaped by cultural and family ties over time. Mothers integrate traditional knowledge with their personal experiences, both positive and negative. This reveals that the postpartum period is a time of vulnerability and adaptation for women.