Perspectives on Perinatal Support and Maternal Mental Health: A Qualitative Cross-Cultural Study in Spain and Brazil

Abstract

Background: The perinatal period is a critical phase in a woman’s life, during which cultural and contextual factors significantly influence her physical and emotional well-being, as well as her transition to motherhood. Understanding cultural differences—such as those between Brazil and Spain—is essential for improving tailored perinatal care. Objective: This study explores and compares the perinatal experiences of women in Spain and Brazil, with a focus on their postpartum support needs and mental health implications. Method: A qualitative design was employed, using in-depth interviews with 22 postpartum women—11 from Spain and 11 from Brazil. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide, and the data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Common themes across both cultural contexts included the importance of preparation for childbirth, the need for emotional and psychological support, challenges related to breastfeeding, and adjustments to physical and psychological changes. Cultural differences were also identified: Brazilian women tended to engage in more detailed planning and valued the support of professionals such as doulas and midwives, whereas Spanish women emphasized the importance of having their choices respected during childbirth. Notably, both groups experienced significant emotional challenges, highlighting crucial considerations for maternal mental health. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive perinatal support programs that address the emotional and psychological needs of postpartum women, aiming to improve mental health outcomes.

1. Introduction

The perinatal experience, spanning from pregnancy to the postpartum period, is a crucial phase in a woman’s life. During this time, the physical, emotional, and social needs of expectant mothers require comprehensive support to ensure both their well-being and that of their newborns [1]. However, these needs, and how they are addressed, can vary significantly between different cultures and health systems [2,3].

Adequate perinatal support should focus not only on medical care but also on emotional and social well-being [3,4]. Previous studies have shown that women who receive comprehensive support during this period have better mental health outcomes and overall satisfaction, which positively influences their relationship with their baby [5]. This support may come from a variety of sources, including healthcare professionals, family members, and the community, and its effectiveness is shaped by country-specific cultural and contextual factors [3,4,5,6]. Understanding cultural differences and social expectations is essential—particularly in such countries as Brazil and Spain, which both have public health systems and policies aimed at maternal and child health. However, economic, cultural, and structural differences directly affect how support is delivered, underscoring the importance of culturally sensitive public policies and interventions.

Cultural beliefs strongly influence expectations around childbirth, newborn care, the role of the mother, and the willingness to seek and accept different types of support [6,7]. Therefore, comparing perinatal experiences across cultural contexts provides valuable insights that can enhance the sensitivity and effectiveness of perinatal support programs [2,3,4,5,6,7,8].

Perceptions of support and expectations during the perinatal period vary considerably depending on cultural and economic contexts. In some countries, extended family and community members play a central role in supporting pregnant and postpartum women, while in others, support tends to be more reliant on healthcare professionals and institutions. These contextual differences directly shape the coping strategies women develop and how they navigate the challenges of motherhood during the perinatal period [9].

Globalization and migration have also introduced new dynamics in perinatal care, as women may find themselves navigating cultural environments different from their own, which presents unique challenges and opportunities [10]. As such, support strategies should be culturally aware and tailored to the specific realities of each woman [3].

In Spain, the healthcare system offers structured perinatal care with a strong focus on medical and psychological support. This is complemented by family and social support networks, which play an essential role during motherhood [11,12]. In contrast, Brazil faces notable disparities in access to and quality of perinatal care, largely shaped by socioeconomic and regional inequalities. Many Brazilian families depend on community initiatives and informal support systems to fill the gaps left by the formal healthcare system, underscoring the importance of grassroots efforts in addressing systemic shortcomings [13]. This contrast highlights the need for targeted interventions in Brazil to ensure equitable access to essential services for all mothers and infants.

To date, no studies have compared the perinatal experiences of women in Brazil and Spain. Although both countries share a commitment to maternal and child health through public health systems, they differ in cultural, economic, and structural aspects that shape the delivery and experience of perinatal care. Thus, comparing these two contexts has academic and social relevance, as it can help identify best practices, reveal the existing gaps, and highlight opportunities for improvement. Moreover, such a comparison can inform the development of public policies that are more attuned to women’s needs and respectful of their cultural and social specificities.

The objective of this study is to compare perinatal experiences and support needs during pregnancy and the postpartum period among women in Spain and Brazil. Using a qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews, this study aims to identify similarities and differences in women’s perceptions and experiences, providing a cross-cultural perspective that can inform the enhancement of perinatal support programs in diverse settings.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Design

This study is based on a socioconstructionist perspective [14], which understands that reality is neither inherent nor objective, but rather constructed through social processes. According to this perspective, knowledge, norms, values, and even identities are shaped and maintained through communication, interactions, and cultural practices within a society. It emphasizes that our understanding of concepts is influenced by historical and cultural contexts [15].

Accordingly, a descriptive and exploratory qualitative research design was chosen, based on the principles of naturalistic research [16,17,18]. This perspective focuses on studying phenomena in their natural settings, without manipulation or control, considering that reality is dynamic and subjective and changes according to individual perceptions [16]. The aim of this approach is to provide a detailed view of the experiences and perceptions of a specific group of women, without overinterpreting the information [15,16,17,18].

In this study, the objective was to understand the experiences and support needs during pregnancy and the postpartum period among women in Spain and Brazil. In-depth interviews were conducted with postpartum women to explore their perspectives on the key needs and information they considered essential during their perinatal and postnatal care. The interviews aimed to capture participants’ experiences, focusing on gaps in the support and guidance they received, as well as the resources they wished had been available.

The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) [19] was used, providing a checklist for conducting interviews and focus groups. Additionally, the Journal Article Reporting Standards for Qualitative Research (JARS-Qual) were followed, offering specific recommendations for writing reports based on qualitative or mixed research designs [20].

2.2. Research Team

Six researchers participated in this study; five were psychologists with doctoral degrees in health sciences and three had experience in qualitative research. Two researchers conducted all the interviews, following a semi-structured interview guide. These researchers were trained in qualitative methods and were responsible for maintaining consistency across interviews. None of the researchers were involved in clinical practice or had a prior relationship with the participants. Regarding data analysis, two researchers led the initial coding process using thematic analysis. They independently coded a subset of transcripts to develop a preliminary codebook. Subsequently, coding discrepancies were discussed and resolved through consensus. Although formal intercoder reliability statistics were not calculated, researcher triangulation was applied through iterative discussions involving a third researcher to enhance the credibility of the analysis. Before starting the study, all researchers documented their theoretical positioning, beliefs, prior experiences, and motivations for conducting this research, as part of a reflexivity process. Only three researchers had prior experience working with perinatal women. Researcher reflexivity was maintained throughout the study via ongoing memo writing and team discussions to account for potential biases.

2.3. Participants

Purposive sampling was used to select cases or units (individuals, groups, institutions) based on their ability to provide relevant information to the research questions [21]. Postpartum women were contacted through healthcare professionals at private and public maternity centers. After this initial contact, the researchers scheduled interviews via a messaging application, agreeing on a convenient time for each participant based on their availability. Purposive sampling is the most appropriate method for in-depth interview research, as it allows for the deliberate selection of participants with specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the study. This approach ensures that selected individuals have direct knowledge of the research topic and can contribute valuable and detailed insights.

The inclusion criteria were as follows: Spanish or Brazilian nationality, primiparous mothers, women in the postpartum period (up to six months after delivery), low obstetric risk, and no psychiatric pathology. A total of 50 women were contacted (30 in Brazil and 20 in Spain) to explore their perinatal experiences. Some did not respond to the invitation, even after follow-up attempts. In the end, 22 women participated in the study: 11 from Brazil and 11 from Spain. All were in the early postpartum period (between one and six months after delivery). The average age was 28 to 42 years for the Spanish participants and 23 to 39 years for the Brazilian participants. All were first-time mothers.

2.4. Ethics

The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Rey Juan Carlos University, ensuring compliance with all ethical and legal standards. Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants, guaranteeing their voluntary participation and the confidentiality of their data. Participant identities were protected by anonymizing the interview transcripts. No adverse events involving the participants occurred during the study. However, a protocol was in place to provide qualified psychological support in case of emotional discomfort, as all the researchers involved were trained psychologists.

2.5. Data Collection

The in-depth nature of the interviews allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the women’s views, as they were encouraged to elaborate on their personal experiences and reflect on the most critical aspects of prenatal care influencing their postpartum well-being. The interviews were semi-structured, offering a guiding framework while allowing flexibility for participants to express their concerns and insights in detail. All interviews followed a standardized interview guide developed specifically for this study, and the research team received prior training.

2.6. Procedure

Initial contact was made through midwives and pediatricians at health centers who disseminated information about the study. Interested women registered via Google Docs, providing their contact details. A research team member then reached out to explain the study and schedule the interview. The interviews were conducted online using Microsoft Teams. The study was explained again before the interview, and informed consent was obtained.

Each interview lasted between 34 and 83 min, totaling approximately 920 min of recorded material. The interviews were conducted in each participant’s native language. One of the researchers, a native Brazilian fluent in Spanish, translated the Brazilian participants’ interviews into Spanish for analysis purposes.

2.7. Data Analysis

Verbatim and anonymized transcripts were thoroughly reviewed to ensure a deep understanding of the shared experiences. While themes were allowed to emerge inductively from the data, the researchers acknowledged that prior knowledge and sensitizing concepts from previous literature—such as maternal mental health, social support in the perinatal period, and obstetric care experiences—informed their interpretations. These concepts served as a backdrop to the coding and thematic development process, while maintaining openness to new and unexpected findings.

An informal validation of the findings was carried out through feedback sessions with participant communities and research peers. No major discrepancies were identified.

2.8. Quality

The study followed Lincoln and Guba’s guidelines to ensure research trustworthiness, applying various techniques to establish credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability of the data [22]. Credibility was reinforced through researcher triangulation and member checking. Two researchers conducted the interviews, ensuring consistency while allowing for diverse perspectives. The lead data analyst conducted the initial coding, and a second researcher independently reviewed and discussed the codes. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus, enhancing intercoder reliability and analytic rigor. Transferability was ensured through a detailed description of the study context and methods, allowing readers to assess applicability to other settings. Confirmability was ensured by maintaining reflexive journals throughout the research process and grounding the coding in participants’ own words and meanings. Additionally, an external audit was conducted to validate the trustworthiness and coherence of the findings [18,20].

3. Results

3.1. Themes Common to Both Cultures (Brazilian and Spanish)

• Birth Process and Preparation

In both groups, birth preparation and planning were critical. Women in both cultures expressed the importance of feeling prepared and informed to deal with birth and its complications. Brazilian women emphasized practical preparation, such as having a detailed birth plan, having the support of doulas and midwives, and preparing the home with frozen meals and a division of household responsibilities.

“I had guidance to prepare for the arrival of the baby, to have food prepared and frozen, to divide the responsibilities with my mother and my partner”.

(P4)

“I had a birth plan made by a doula and was accompanied by an obstetrician. From the time I found out at 5 weeks until I gave birth”.

(P3)

However, Spanish women expressed a strong desire for their decisions during birth to be respected. In addition, there was significant concern about the lack of informed choices and respect for their decisions at the time of birth, which often resulted in traumatic experiences.

“I felt like they didn’t respect my decisions during labor. They didn’t inform me about what they were going to do and left me alone for many hours, which left me with a very negative experience”.

(P7)

“I would have liked to have had more information and options to decide how I wanted to give birth”.

(P10)

• Emotional Regulation and Psychological Support

Both Brazilian and Spanish women experienced intense emotions during the postpartum period, such as fear, anxiety, guilt, and invisibility. Brazilian women highlighted the need for ongoing psychological support through therapy and support groups, stressing that these resources are essential to managing the emotional changes and personal transformation that accompany motherhood.

“I went to therapy and took part in a pregnancy circle that gave emotional support”.

(P5)

“I’d recommend meditation; there are apps available, connecting with yourself, respecting yourself, not pressuring yourself because there’s already too much social pressure. You need to take care of yourself”.

(P9)

Spanish women often mentioned feeling invisible and unheard by their families and society, reflecting a lack of recognition of their emotional needs. They also noted the need to learn to communicate their emotions and set clear boundaries with their environment.

“I felt completely invisible after giving birth. Everyone came to see my baby, but they cared very little about how I felt or what I needed”.

(P4)

“I had to learn to express how I felt and set boundaries with my family because it was unbearable for me. The unsolicited advice, opinions, and unannounced visits… affected my well-being”.

(P11)

• Breastfeeding and Breastfeeding Support

Both cultures emphasize the importance of support during breastfeeding and the need to receive adequate guidance on techniques and benefits. Brazilian women highlighted the need for specific guidance to manage problems such as latching and milk production, as well as the importance of dispelling myths about breastfeeding.

“It is important that you have information on breastfeeding: how to identify when your baby is full, how to take care of your breasts during breastfeeding”.

(P5)

Spanish women experienced notable social pressure related to breastfeeding, both to start and to stop. They expressed concerns about combining breastfeeding with formula and fears associated with the baby rejecting the breast due to the introduction of bottles.

“I continue to breastfeed and feel a lot of pressure from those around me and the people who see us. When I breastfed in public, I heard numerous very unpleasant comments, especially about my son”.

(P1)

“I felt a lot of pressure to breastfeed and then to stop, which caused me a lot of anxiety”.

(P6)

“I had to introduce a bottle at night as a supplement because the baby wasn’t gaining the weight the pediatrician said he should. This made me very worried that my baby would refuse the breast”.

(P8)

• Adaptation to Physical and Psychological Changes

In both groups, women faced challenges in adjusting to their new identities as mothers, experiencing feelings of loss and the need to balance motherhood with their personal lives. Brazilian women described motherhood as a total transformation that requires leaving the previous identity behind. There was a strong sense of mourning for the “old” version of themselves.

“This new role involves going through many phases. And this initial phase is one of total surrender, a phase in which I had to say goodbye to myself in many ways in order to look after and give myself totally to another being who depends on me”.

(P5)

“I always did many things at the same time, I was free, I rode my motorbike, I had time to do whatever I wanted, but that self died, it’s a sorrow in my heart, the grief I’m experiencing, because that old single me no longer exists, there’s no way she can exist, because now she’s a mother, she’s a being, not a state”.

(P8)

Spanish women highlighted the difficulty of maintaining a balance between motherhood and their personal lives, expressing a clearer desire to reconcile both roles without sacrificing their individuality.

“It’s difficult to find a balance between being a mother and finding time for myself. I’d like to, but in the end, I’m the one who takes care of the children. Children belong to their mothers”.

(P2)

“I don’t want to lose myself in the process of being a mother; I want to be able to be both”.

(P5)

• Access to Information and Specialized Resources

Both groups highlighted the need to access accurate information about postnatal care and specialized resources. Brazilian women mentioned actively seeking information through conversation groups, online videos, and consultations with experts, suggesting a lack of adequate institutional resources.

“I got information from mothers’ groups. When she was born, I went on a baby care course, which gave me a bit of support so that I could look after her, or go to a professional to understand what was going on”.

(P2)

Spanish women expressed a greater need for formal support, such as support groups and workshops, and complained about a lack of accessible information about available resources to deal with the changes of motherhood.

“I would like to have more access to support groups and workshops for mothers; I feel there isn’t enough information available”.

(P24)

“It’s difficult to find specialized resources for the postpartum period. Having a group of midwives would make the process easier”.

(P26)

3.2. Culture-Specific Issues

3.2.1. Brazilian Women-Specific Issues

• Sexuality and Postpartum Recovery

Brazilian women openly discussed issues related to sexuality during pregnancy and postpartum, including decreased libido, lack of sexual desire, and the importance of not feeling pressured to resume sexual relations too soon. This theme reflects a challenge associated with physical and emotional recovery, which is more openly discussed.

“It was important to have information about changes in the body after the birth of the baby, such as low lubrication and management strategies”.

(P4)

“It’s important for health professionals to inform parents that it’s OK to have sex, but that in the postpartum period, it’s just a woman’s time. She decides when she wants to have sex again and what it should be like”.

(P2)

• Family and Professional Support Network

Brazilian women stressed the importance of having a strong support network during the postpartum period, which includes both family and professionals. Motherhood is seen as a collective effort, and the need to ask for help in managing the demands of parenting is recognized, especially by the mother’s own mother, as the grandmother is the principal support for Brazilian new mothers.

“Seek out as much information as possible, look for people who will support you, talk to your partner so that he’s there for you. A support network is the most important part of the puerperium: motherhood isn’t meant to be lived alone. Ask for help because we can’t cope on our own, we do need help”.

(P2)

“The first two months were very quiet, I stayed at my mum’s and I was looked after. My support network was very present, both my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and my parents. I had no worries about myself, I was especially looking after my son. Everything I did was for him. I had food, laundry, my mum did everything”.

(P7)

• Maternal Identity Transformation

Brazilian women experienced a profound sense of transformation and mourning for their pre-motherhood identity. They see motherhood as a significant life change that requires total commitment and a redefinition of their being.

“For me, it was a bereavement to say goodbye to the person I was, to my life before becoming a mum, because after becoming a mum your life is never the same again. It’s other people, another life”.

(P9)

“The puerperium felt like I was in an altered state of consciousness. I didn’t recognize myself, I cried, I couldn’t talk, my memory was affected, my sleep was affected, so I had information, but I didn’t know how I was going to be in that state”.

(P9)

“What really changes is the mother’s life. The mother who stops working, the mother who stays at home 24 h with the baby”.

(P2)

3.2.2. Specific Issues for Spanish Women

• Social Pressure and Breastfeeding Decisions

Spanish women highlighted the social pressure they feel regarding breastfeeding decisions, whether to start, continue, or stop. This pressure contributes to feelings of anxiety and internal conflict about the best practices for feeding their babies.

“I felt judged for not exclusively breastfeeding, as if I was doing something wrong”.

(P3)

“I felt a lot of pressure from those around me about breastfeeding. My baby cried a lot, and they made me feel responsible. I heard people say every day that he was starving, that maybe I didn’t have any milk, or that my milk wasn’t good enough. They made me feel very insecure and like a bad mother. It seemed like I wanted to starve my son. It was incredibly hard”.

(P8)

• Feelings of Invisibility and Need for Assertive Communication

Spanish women expressed a sense of invisibility and lack of recognition of their emotional needs by their families and society. This feeling of invisibility highlights the need to learn to communicate emotions and set boundaries with the loved ones to ensure adequate emotional support.

“I felt like no one understood what I was going through emotionally. I felt very lonely”.

(P7)

“It’s hard to express my emotions and what I need when I feel like they’re not taken seriously”.

(P11)

• Search for Specialized Resources

There is a greater focus on seeking formal and specialized support, such as support groups and workshops. Spanish women indicated the need for more information about specialized resources available in the perinatal stage, and frustration at not knowing about these resources.

“I need more information about the resources available for new mothers; it’s frustrating not knowing where to look”.

(P7)

“There’s a lot of information on the Internet. Social media offers a lot of tips. However, this makes me feel more insecure. I need support groups that can give me answers and not create more doubts and guilt for not doing what I see on social media”.

(P29)

4. Discussion

The present comparative study between Brazilian and Spanish postpartum women reveals both similarities and significant differences in the experiences and needs they face during this crucial period. These findings, including both common and culture-specific issues, allow us to better understand how cultural, social, and personal factors influence the experience of motherhood and provide a basis for the development of more effective and culturally sensitive interventions and support systems.

Both cultures highlight the importance of adequate preparation for childbirth. However, differences in how this preparation is perceived and managed reflect significant cultural variations. Brazilian women, who took part in this survey, demonstrated a need to plan and individually resort to alternative support such as doulas and midwives in response to a healthcare system that is often overloaded and does not always provide the personalized support they desire. This individual action is not always possible for all women due to financial issues and a lack of access to information [23,24]. The reliance on these alternative supports reflects a proactive approach to ensure a more supportive and tailored birthing experience, which contrasts sharply with the challenges faced within conventional hospital settings [24].

In contrast, Spanish women emphasize the need to be informed and respected in their decisions during childbirth, which may be related to a perceived lack of control and choice in the hospital setting, where interventions can sometimes occur without adequate consent or explanation. Reports indicate that many women experience what is termed “obstetric violence,” characterized by unnecessary procedures and a lack of informed consent during labor [25].

Furthermore, studies show that Spanish women often express dissatisfaction with their maternity care, particularly regarding the lack of personalized attention and respect for their choices [26]. While Brazilian women are increasingly turning to alternative supports to navigate a challenging healthcare landscape—partly because there is less stigma in doing so—Spanish women are advocating for greater respect and information in their childbirth experiences [13]. Both contexts underscore the need for systemic changes that prioritize women’s preferences and rights in maternal healthcare. This finding suggests that interventions in both contexts need to be tailored to address these concerns. In Brazil, it could be beneficial to strengthen the training and availability of doulas and midwives, as well as to promote prenatal education that empowers women to make informed decisions, especially in public hospitals [27,28]. In Spain, efforts should focus on improving communication between women and healthcare providers, ensuring that choices during childbirth are clearly explained and respected [26].

Moreover, both Brazilian and Spanish women experience significant emotional challenges during the postpartum period, such as fear, anxiety, and guilt [29]. However, Brazilian women who have access to information appear to have more proactive access to therapy and support groups, reflecting a greater cultural acceptance of the need for ongoing psychological support [30]. On the other hand, Spanish women frequently mention feelings of invisibility and a lack of recognition of their emotional needs, which may suggest greater difficulty in accessing or accepting formal emotional support [1]. These results underscore the need to increase awareness of the importance of emotional support during the postpartum period in both countries. In Spain, educational campaigns could be developed to reduce the stigma associated with seeking psychological help, while in Brazil, accessibility and quality of these services for all women could be improved, as access to information and emotional support is often restricted to a wealthier economic class that can afford private services [24]. Emotional support is fundamental for maternal well-being and should be a priority in public health interventions aimed at mothers in the postpartum period [1,31,32].

Emotional support during the postpartum period is extremely necessary for mothers’ mental health. A decrease in social support—especially in challenging contexts like the COVID-19 pandemic—can exacerbate mental health issues, including postpartum depression [33].

In both contexts, breastfeeding is a topic of great importance, although specific concerns differ. Brazilian women emphasize the need for practical guidance and the demystification of erroneous beliefs about breastfeeding [34]. In Spain, women face significant social pressure both to breastfeed and to stop, which creates an additional source of stress. These findings suggest that, to be effective, breastfeeding support programs need to be culturally adapted [35,36]. In Brazil, efforts could focus on providing practical information and debunking myths, while in Spain, the focus could be on reducing social pressure through awareness campaigns and fostering supportive environments that respect mothers’ decisions [34,35,37].

Cultural beliefs significantly influence a mother’s decision to initiate and continue breastfeeding. Healthcare services need to respect and integrate these beliefs—and the needs of families—into their support strategies [35]. The success of breastfeeding is strongly linked to educational programs that foster trust and engagement within communities, which is vital for encouraging mothers to seek help and adhere to recommended practices [34,38].

The experience of adjusting to a new identity as a mother is a common challenge in both groups, but the way this transition is experienced varies. Brazilian women describe motherhood as a total transformation and a mourning of their previous identity, while Spanish women focus more on finding a balance between motherhood and their personal lives. This indicates that support strategies should consider these differences. In Brazil, it would be beneficial to develop programs that help mothers navigate this personal transformation, while in Spain, emphasis could be placed on providing tools to balance motherhood with other aspects of personal and professional life.

Looking at the culturally specific issues, the fact that Brazilian women openly discuss issues related to postpartum sexuality suggests a greater cultural openness to addressing these intimate aspects of life after childbirth. This finding indicates that health programs in Brazil should include more robust postpartum sexual education components, which respect women’s autonomy and promote open communication with their partners about their needs and desires.

The significant social pressure experienced by Spanish women regarding breastfeeding suggests a strong cultural influence on maternal decisions. This cultural context may create an environment of additional stress and anxiety for mothers, who may feel judged for their decisions. To address this issue, it would be beneficial in Spain to implement public education campaigns that promote understanding and respect for mothers’ individual breastfeeding decisions while fostering a supportive, non-judgmental environment [32,37].

The feeling of invisibility and the need to learn to set clear boundaries and communicate assertively with those around them reflect a possible lack of meaningful emotional support in the Spanish family and social context. This finding indicates that it could be useful to develop educational resources for women and their families that focus on improving communication and setting clear and respectful expectations during the postpartum period [29,30,31].

This study provides valuable information on the specific support needs of women in the postpartum period in Brazil and Spain. The cultural differences identified underscore the need to design interventions that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the specific realities of each group. Furthermore, these findings may inform the development of public policies that promote better access to mental and emotional health resources, as well as increased education about the importance of respecting women’s decisions during the postpartum period.

This study has several limitations that must be acknowledged. First, the relatively small sample size may not fully capture the diversity of postpartum experiences in both countries. Additionally, important factors that could influence maternal experiences, such as socioeconomic status and the availability of community support, were not comprehensively explored. Challenges in participant recruitment also represent a limitation: although initial contact was made with a larger number of potential participants, scheduling interviews proved difficult due to time constraints and competing demands during the postpartum period. Moreover, several potential participants declined to participate without providing specific reasons. We believe that the sensitive nature of the topic, coupled with the timing of data collection during a delicate phase of personal and familial adaptation, may have contributed to these difficulties. Lastly, although efforts were made to ensure linguistic and cultural appropriateness throughout the interviews and data analysis, the processes of translation and potential language barriers may have influenced the depth and nuances of the narratives captured.

Future research could expand the scope of this study to include a larger and more diverse sample of women in both countries, as well as further explore how different levels of support and resources impact the postpartum experience. It would also be useful to investigate the perspectives of fathers and other family members to better understand how the entire family unit can be supported during this transition.

5. Conclusions

This comparative study highlights both shared and culturally specific challenges among Brazilian and Spanish postpartum women. They share common needs for emotional and psychological support, preparation for childbirth, and management of breastfeeding-related difficulties. However, contextual differences emerged: Brazilian women were more proactive in seeking psychological help, while Spanish women faced greater social pressures and communication barriers. These findings highlight the importance of culturally sensitive interventions that address emotional support, accessibility to resources, and respect for maternal decisions. By recognizing these cultural nuances, healthcare systems can offer more effective and personalized care, promoting more favorable mental health outcomes for postpartum women.