Implementing Essential Coaching for Every Mother during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A pre‐post intervention study

Abstract

Objectives The primary objective of this project was to evaluate the preliminary impact of Essential Coaching for Every Mother on maternal self‐efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. The secondary objective was to explore the acceptability of the Essential Coaching for Every Mother program provided during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A prospective pre‐post study was conducted with first‐time mothers in Nova Scotia, Canada, between July 15 and September 19, 2020. Participants completed a self‐report survey at enrollment (after birth) and 6 weeks postpartum. Various standardized measures were used, and qualitative feedback on the program was also collected. Paired t tests were carried out to determine changes from baseline to follow‐up on psychosocial outcomes, and qualitative feedback was analyzed through thematic analysis. Results A total of 88 women enrolled. Maternal self‐efficacy increased between baseline (B) and follow‐up (F) (B: 33.33; F: 37.11, P = 0.000), whereas anxiety (STAI) declined (B: 38.49; F: 34.79, P = 0.004). In terms of acceptability, 89% of participants felt that the number of messages was just right, 84.5% felt the messages contained all the information they needed relative to caring for a newborn, and 98.8% indicated they would recommend this program to other new mothers. Conclusions Essential Coaching for Every Mother may play a role in increasing maternal self‐efficacy and decreasing anxiety, although future work with a control group is needed to delineate the true effects of the program. Overall, mothers were satisfied with the Essential Coaching for Every Mother program and would recommend it for other mothers, during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond.

The Effect of Psychological Interventions on the Anxiety and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“… - Educational interventions, including educational packages ( 33 ), training sessions at home with educational pamphlet ( 34 ), and face-to-face training, and training by role-playing ( 35 ), interventions were done via SMS and text messages about infant care and maternal mental health ( 36 ). - Supportive and combined interventions including Coaching for every mother ( 37 ), Supportive and combined interventions, breastfeeding workshop before birth and a breastfeeding counseling session ( 38 ), newborn crawling toward the breast and educational strategies ( 39 ). - Another intervention types including kangaroo care ( 40 ) skin-to-skin contact ( 41 ) motivational interview ( 42 – 43 ).…”

The effect of counseling with stress management approach on postpartum anxiety and distress and breastfeeding self-efficacy during COVID-19 pandemic: a ramdomized controlled trial

“…Dol et al [ 26 ] in a study in Canada implemented essential coaching for mothers during COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention included text messages related to infant care, maternal mental health, postpartum care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and messages specific to the COVID-19 about 6-week after birth.…”

Participants’ Perceptions of Essential Coaching for Every Mother—a Canadian Text Message–Based Postpartum Program: Process Evaluation of a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In both the feasibility study [ 38 ] and this study, participants requested that the program go on longer than 6 weeks and be available to other care providers, such as their partner. A study by Demirci et al [ 37 ] providing SMS text message–based breastfeeding support in the postpartum period also identified that their participants wanted the program to extend beyond 8 weeks and provide similar messaging for partners [ 39 ].…”