Surreal illustration of a overwhelmed mother with hospital bills.

Early Motherhood Unveiled: Navigating the Realities of Postpartum Discharge and Infant Readmission

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover the untold stories of mothers facing early discharge challenges and unexpected infant readmissions, and how healthcare can provide better support."

The transition to motherhood is often portrayed as a blissful period, filled with joy and bonding. However, the reality for many new mothers can be starkly different, especially with the increasing trend of early postpartum discharge. While early discharge aims to promote family-centered care, it can also lead to unexpected challenges, including infant readmissions. This article delves into the experiences of mothers who have navigated this complex landscape, shedding light on the emotional and practical hurdles they face.

Since the 1950s, there's been a move to shorten the time mothers stay in the hospital after giving birth. Now, about one-third of mothers in Denmark leave within 12 hours. Some people think going home sooner helps families bond, but research shows that early leaving can affect how well a mother adjusts, depending on how good the follow-up care is.

Numbers show more babies are being readmitted to hospitals, just as mothers are leaving sooner after birth. This can cause problems like babies losing too much weight, getting dehydrated, or having jaundice. Because of this, it's important to understand what happens to mothers when their babies need to go back to the hospital. Being a new mom is already hard, and Mercer says it's a time of big changes physically, emotionally, and socially. Knowing how readmission affects mothers can help us support them better.

What Are the Broken Expectations of Early Motherhood?

Surreal illustration of a overwhelmed mother with hospital bills.

A recent qualitative study explored the experiences of mothers who underwent early discharge and subsequent infant readmission. The study, conducted in the Region of Southern Denmark, involved in-depth telephone interviews with seven mothers who had given birth at a University Hospital setting. The data analysis revealed six key themes that highlighted the challenges and unmet expectations these mothers faced.

These themes painted a picture of a journey far removed from the idealized vision of early motherhood. Mothers grappled with feelings of insecurity, disrupted routines, and a sense of loss of control. The study revealed a significant gap between the support mothers needed and the support they received, particularly in the crucial areas of breastfeeding and emotional well-being.

Early Discharge Pressures: Many mothers felt pressured to choose early discharge, either due to hospital policies or a desire to return to the comfort of their homes. However, the reality of managing a newborn without adequate support often led to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
Home Isn't Always Sweet: While most mothers looked forward to returning home, they often found the experience isolating and challenging. The lack of readily available support, coupled with the demands of newborn care, left them feeling exhausted and insecure.
Readmission: A Shock or Relief?: The experience of infant readmission was a complex one, with some mothers viewing it as a relief to have their concerns addressed by healthcare professionals, while others felt shocked and overwhelmed by the unexpected return to the hospital.
Breastfeeding Challenges: Breastfeeding difficulties were a recurring theme, with many mothers struggling to establish a successful breastfeeding routine. The lack of timely and effective support exacerbated these challenges, leading to feelings of frustration and inadequacy.
Guidance: Empowering or Disempowering?: The guidance provided by healthcare professionals was not always helpful, with some mothers feeling that the information was overwhelming, contradictory, or insensitive to their individual needs.
Broken Expectations at Home: Ultimately, the mothers in the study experienced a significant disconnect between their expectations of early motherhood and the reality they faced. This led to feelings of disappointment, insecurity, and a sense of being ill-prepared for the challenges of caring for a newborn.

The study underscores the importance of addressing these broken expectations and providing comprehensive support to new mothers during the critical postpartum period. By understanding the challenges mothers face, healthcare providers can tailor their services to better meet the needs of new families.

The Path Forward: Supporting Mothers and Shaping a Better Postpartum Experience

This study emphasizes the critical need for healthcare providers to acknowledge and address the broken expectations of early motherhood. By offering comprehensive support, promoting realistic expectations, and empowering mothers to navigate the challenges of the postpartum period, we can create a more positive and supportive experience for new families. Further research is needed to explore innovative approaches to postpartum care, including the use of technology and community-based support systems. By working together, we can ensure that all mothers have the resources and support they need to thrive during this transformative time.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/jocn.14687, Alternate LINK

Title: Broken Expectations Of Early Motherhood: Mothers’ Experiences Of Early Discharge After Birth And Readmission Of Their Infants

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Clinical Nursing

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Maria M. Feenstra, Ingrid Nilsson, Dorthe B. Danbjørg

Published: 2018-11-14

Everything You Need To Know

What are the intended benefits of 'early discharge' after childbirth, and what challenges have emerged as a result of this practice?

Early discharge aims to facilitate family-centered care by allowing mothers to return home shortly after childbirth. However, this trend has led to challenges such as increased infant readmissions due to issues like weight loss, dehydration, and jaundice. The existing studies highlight the importance of adequate follow-up care to mitigate the potential adverse effects of early discharge on both mother and infant well-being. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that balances the benefits of family-centered care with the need for robust postpartum support.

What were the key themes identified in the qualitative study about early discharge and infant readmission, and how did they influence the experience of new mothers?

The study conducted in the Region of Southern Denmark identified several key themes, including early discharge pressures, difficulties adjusting at home, the emotional impact of infant readmission (experienced as either shock or relief), breastfeeding challenges, the variable quality of guidance from healthcare professionals, and ultimately, broken expectations at home. These themes highlight the gap between the idealized vision of early motherhood and the practical realities faced by new mothers.

According to the qualitative study, what feelings and challenges did mothers experience regarding the gap between their expectations and the realities of early motherhood following early discharge?

The qualitative study revealed that mothers experienced several challenges, including feelings of insecurity, disrupted routines, and a sense of loss of control. The support they received often did not meet their needs, particularly in areas such as breastfeeding and emotional well-being. These experiences led to a disconnect between their expectations and the reality of early motherhood, resulting in disappointment and a sense of being ill-prepared.

Based on the insights from the research, how can healthcare providers improve postpartum care to better support new mothers and address the 'broken expectations' associated with early motherhood?

Healthcare providers can offer comprehensive support that includes timely and effective breastfeeding assistance, emotional well-being support, and clear, consistent guidance. They can also promote realistic expectations of early motherhood and empower mothers to navigate the challenges of the postpartum period. Innovative approaches, such as technology and community-based support systems, can play a crucial role in enhancing postpartum care and ensuring that mothers have the resources they need to thrive.

What are the common causes of infant readmission after early discharge, and how can increased awareness of these factors inform better support for mothers transitioning to postpartum care?

Infant readmission can stem from various factors, including weight loss, dehydration, and jaundice. While the qualitative study did not specifically investigate the reasons for infant readmission, it highlights that mothers face immense challenges. These challenges underscore the importance of monitoring infants closely after early discharge and providing mothers with the necessary support and education to prevent complications and ensure prompt intervention if issues arise.