Does a nurse-led postpartum self-care program for first-time mothers in Bangladesh improve postpartum fatigue, depressive mood, and maternal functioning?: a non-synchronized quasi-experimental study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to test the efficacy of a nurse-led postpartum self-care (NL-PPSC) intervention at reducing postpartum fatigue (PPF) and depressive mood and promoting maternal functioning among first-time mothers in Bangladesh.Methods: A non-synchronized quasi-experimental design was used. First-time mothers were recruited during postpartum (PP) and assigned to the experimental or control group (34 each). The experimental group attended the NL-PPSC—a 1-day intervention that focused on increasing self-efficacy—at a hospital in person. The control group received usual care. Data on PPF, depressive mood, maternal functioning, self-care behaviors, PP self-efficacy, and self-care knowledge were collected at 2 weeks PP (attrition 23.5%) and 6 weeks PP (attrition 16.1%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate statistics, and linear mixed model analysis.Results: One-third (33.3%) of new mothers experienced depressive mood (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores of ≥13 points). The NL-PPSC intervention statistically significantly decreased PPF (β=–6.17, SE=1.81, t=–3.39, p<.01) and increased maternal functioning at 6 weeks PP in the experimental group (β=13.72, t=3.73, p<.01) as opposed to the control group. Knowledge was also statistically significant for increased maternal functioning over time (β=.37, SE=.18, t=2.03, p<.05). However, no statistically significant differences in PP depressive mood were observed over time.Conclusion: The NL-PPSC intervention was feasible and effective at improving fatigue and maternal functioning in Bangladeshi mothers at 6 weeks PP. PP care knowledge was effective at improving maternal functioning; this finding supports the implementation of the NL-PPSC intervention for new mothers after childbirth.