Includes bibliography, appendix and curriculum vitae.

ABSTRACT :
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
A GENERAL:The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between prenatal and postpartum experiences of primigravida mothers.
B. SPECIFIC: 1) How do the respondents describe their prenatal preparations?
2) How do the primigravidas describe their postpartum experiences?
3) Are there significant differences on the post partum experiences of the primigravidas with different prenatal preparations?

SCOPE AND LIMITATION: The study aimed to determine the relationship ben to determine the relationship between the prenatal preparations of the primigravida to their postpartum experiences. The researchers had chosen Brgy. Halang, Amadeo, Cavite to be the location of the study for the reason of having accessible resources that will help the aim of the study to be efficiently conducted. These primigravidas covered in the study were those who gave birth from January of 2005 to January of 2006 and those who had delivered in Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Brgy. Halang, Lying-in Clinic and hospitals through a Normal Spontaneous Delivery (NSD).
In the conduct of the study, the researchers included only the following variables: age, occupation, educational attainment and religion. The researchers study covered ages of respondents from 16-25 years old. This age bracket is the most common age for women to be first time mothers.
METHODOLOGY :The descriptive method was used in the
study, specifically the correlational research
method. A survey questionnaire was developed to gather data needed to answer each of the specific problems. All the data in the questionnaires were precoded for computations. Weighted mean was used to determine the average level of the primigravid perceptions regarding good prenatal preparation and favorable postpartum experiences. Pearson r was used for treatment of data in determining the relationship and correlation in order to answer specific problems and to test hypothesis of the study. T- test was used for testing the degree of relationship between prenatal preparation and postpartum experience.

FINDINGS: :1. Out of 30 primigravid respondents from Brgy. Halang, Amadeo Cavite, only %of the respondents were considered to be well prepared in their gestation period and the remaining 16.67% were considered not well prepared. 2. The primigravid mothers initial and usual reactions after giving birth were excitement and unexplainable happiness irregardless whether they were well prepared or not during the gestation period. 3. Eventhough the 30 primigravid respondents have different prenatal preparations, the study still found out that there were no significant differences with their postpartum experiences. There is a moderate relationship between the prenatal and postpartum experiences of the primigravid mothers.

CONCLUSION: 1. The prenatal preparations of the primigravid respondents were affected by the factors like age, financial and emotional preparedness, present status and the health perceptions about pregnancy. 2. The postpartum experiences of the respondents did not show any significant difference whether they were well prepared or not during their prenatal period. 3. Respondents who have good prenatal preparations have higher percentage to have good postpartum experiences but due to some factors, even those who were not as prepared as the others were still able to have favorable postpartum experiences.

RECOMMENDATION: 1. For the primigravida to have a good and well prenatal preparation, they must be more mature in different aspects like financial, spiritual, emotional and mental aspects. All pregnant women especially primigravida must have regular prenatal check-ups in order to ensure the health of both mother and the baby. 2. After childbirth, the mother will undergo a lot of adjustments and love and support of the husband and the family will be a great help. Emotions play an important role in good parenting. 3. The results of the study will be of great help for future researchers with special concem on women's health especially the primigravidas. Other researchers can replicate this study to refine, quantify, and verify findings.