Sample and setting
The hospital where the study was conducted is
located in an area where characteristics such
as low income, low educational attainment,
high unemployment, unskilled labour and other
variables of disadvantage are common and by
Australian standards socioeconomic status is
generally low (Australian Bureau of Statistics,
2011). The hospital also provides health care
to a large culturally and linguistically diverse
community, of which many are new migrants to
Australia (Carolan et al, 2010).
Potential participants were identified and
approached by midwifery staff at the hospital.
Inclusion criteria were:
ll Uncomplicated pregnancy
llOver 30 years old
ll Carrying their first and a singleton baby
ll Between 20 and 24 weeks pregnant
ll Expecting a normal vaginal delivery
ll An ability to communicate in conversational