Period | Difficulties and challenges in WFB | Support and information needs |
Prenatal leave | · Lack of information · Frustration · Discouragement and resignation toward preschool admission systems | · Timing of nursery school enrollment activities from before conception · Flexible activities for nursery admission |
Before and after childbirth | · Confusion about physical changes associated with childbirth | · Checkup consultation system improvement · Consultation method choice · Peer support enhancement |
Postpartum leave and childcare leave | · Impatience when not admitted to preschool · Giving up on continuing to work · Fear of professional incapacity, impatience · Differences in views and methods of childrearing · Confusion after a consultation | · Consultation on caregiving/childcare environment · Child growth guidelines · How to respond when a child is ill · Finding employment and returning to work |
Return to work | · Disruption of the child’s life · Work-related nervousness and anxiety · Difficulty adjusting to work before and after parental leave and impatience while acclimating to childcare · Few/difficult-to-schedule consultations · Increased irritability toward the child and change in nurturing attitude · Resignation or reticence to receive parental support | · WFB mentioned by PHN support · Involvement as an individual with a job |
Post return to work | · Lack of time and mental capacity for both parenting and work · Decreased hours of sleep and rest · Disgust at inability to support a spouse · Feelings of inadequacy and pain owing to not having enough time to spend with their children · Frustration and heartache of not being able to take care of children · Regret/remorse for forcing the child to go to daycare when sick · Resistance/hesitation regarding getting involved with a counseling agency · Hesitation to disrupt grandparents’ lives | · Daily childcare counseling at daycare centers · Municipal information provided via nursery schools · Consultation services related to child development by the PHN |