Investigating the Role of OT in Postpartum Care & the Impact on Maternal Psychosocial Well-Being

INTRODUCTION: While maternal mental and physical health is important to the wellbeing of families and children, maternal mental health is often overlooked. Pregnancy and childbearing can leave mothers with mental health symptoms that may affect the mother/child relationship, successful feeding, a child's development, and even mortality/morbidity rates. In an aim to fill the gap in current research, the purpose of this study is to identify the psychosocial postpartum care and to recognize the role occupational therapy services can play in improving maternal mental health. METHOD: Sixty-four women aged 20-36 responded to a mixed methods survey to identify their experiences pre--and perinatal and postpartum as well as their general experience within the healthcare system. Quantitative analysis was utilized for demographic questions. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed by utilizing Braun and Clarke's six-step iterative framework to identify common themes from participants' responses. RESULTS: Two themes were identified through thematic analysis: inadequate mental health focus for postpartum mothers and an overall lack of maternal support postpartum. These themes are further discussed to include sub themes which include overall opinions that there is a lack of physician appointments, education/training, support groups, in-depth mental health screenings, partner/family support, and a focus on the baby over the mother. CONCLUSIONS: Although the role of OT in maternal healthcare is not typical and an emerging practice, there is a high demand for increased quantity and quality of the care these women are receiving; occupational therapists can offer a variety of skilled services that are currently lacking in the standard of postpartum care and would greatly benefit new mothers. OT services would focus on a holistic approach, addressing the physical, mental, and psychological well being of mothers as they transition into their new life role.