Objective: to describe parents' experiences of using videoconferencing (VC) when discharged early from a maternity unit.
Design: a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to describe parents' experiences. Data were collected via questionnaires and interviews.
Setting: a pilot study involving a maternity department and new parents in their homes was conducted. Through VC, parents discharged early were able to maintain follow-up contact with the midwife via sound and picture at the department.
Participants: nine couples/new parents participated.
Findings: the analysis revealed four categories of responses: 'feeling confident with the technology'; 'feeling confident of having control of their privacy'; 'feeling confident being face-to-face on the VC'; and 'feeling confident when worries and concerns were met and answers were received'.
Key conclusions: using VC as a support in cases of early discharge after childbirth can facilitate a meeting that makes it possible for new parents to be guided by the midwife in their transition into parenthood.
Implications for practice: the findings of this study indicate that VC equipment may be helpful for parents discharged from hospital early after childbirth. The findings can also be used as a foundation for further development of the application of VC within maternal health care and in health care in rural areas.