ABSTRACT

Introduction: The postpartum period is a difficult process in which women who become mothers for the first time experience role transitions. During this period, an increase in the risk of sleep disturbance, fatigue and depression is experienced in puerperants.

Objective: The aim of the researchers in this study is to relieve postpartum insomnia and fatigue, and to reduce the risk of developing postpartum depression by preserving structural, personal

and social integrity with the holistic care given to primiparous puerperant women who experience fatigue and are at risk of developing depression with the guidance of Levine’s conservation model. Method: This research is a single blind randomized controlled experimental study. The study was performed with 112 primiparous puerperants (56 experiments, 56 controls). A nursing care program was prepared for the puerperants in the experimental group under the guidance of Levine’s conservation model. Seven home visits were made in line with the nursing care program prepared in the postpartum period. During home visits, trainings and educational booklets on breastfeeding, personal hygiene, fatigue, insomnia and nutrition were provided. Pilates exercises were performed as of the fourth home visit. Routine care was given to the puerperants in the control group. The data were collected using Personal Information Form, Visual Similarity Scale for Fatigue, Postpartum Physical Symptom Severity Scale, Postpartum Sleep Quality Scale, Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and Postpartum Support Scale.

Results: With the holistic care given under the guidance of Levine’s conservation model, it was determined that the sleep quality of the primiparous puerperants in the experimental group increased, their postpartum fatigue decreased and their energy increased, whereas their structural, personal and social integrity was preserved and the risk of developing postpartum depression decreased.

Conclusion: Guided by Levine’s conservation model, the care given to primiparous puerperants was effective in increasing sleep quality, reducing fatigue and reducing the risk of developing

postpartum depression.

Implication for practice: Levine’s conservation model can be used to reduce the fatigue and depression risk of puerperants in the postpartum period and to increase sleep quality.

Keywords: Levine’s conservation model, fatigue, sleep quality, postpartum depression, nursing care