Overview
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of a midwife-led digital follow-up program on postpartum depression, perceived social support, and breastfeeding self-efficacy in women who will undergo cesarean section.
Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group that will receive structured face-to-face education followed by a 4-week digital follow-up program, or a control group that will receive routine postpartum care.
Data will be collected at baseline (postpartum day 1), at 1 week, and at 4 weeks postpartum using validated measurement tools.
The study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of continuous, midwife-led digital support in improving maternal psychological well-being and breastfeeding outcomes in the early postpartum period.
Description
This study will be conducted as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured midwife-led digital follow-up program on postpartum depression, perceived social support, and breastfeeding self-efficacy in women who will undergo cesarean section.
The postpartum period is a critical phase for maternal adaptation, during which women may experience psychological challenges such as depression, as well as difficulties related to breastfeeding and perceived social support. Women who deliver by cesarean section may be particularly vulnerable due to physical recovery, delayed maternal-infant interaction, and increased dependency on external support.
Eligible participants will be recruited from a university hospital and will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated sequence to ensure allocation concealment.
Participants in the intervention group will receive a structured face-to-face education session provided by a midwife on the first postpartum day. This session will include information on breastfeeding techniques, management of common breastfeeding problems, emotional adaptation to motherhood, and the importance of social support.
Following the initial education, participants in the intervention group will be enrolled in a 4-week digital follow-up program. This program will include weekly educational messages, individualized counseling, and continuous support delivered via mobile communication platforms. Participants will be able to ask questions and receive guidance from the midwife throughout the follow-up period.
Participants in the control group will receive routine postpartum care without any additional structured education or digital follow-up support.
The primary outcomes of the study will include postpartum depression, perceived social support, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. These outcomes will be measured using validated instruments, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES).
Data will be collected at three time points: baseline (postpartum day 1), at 1 week postpartum, and at 4 weeks postpartum.
This study will aim to contribute to evidence-based postpartum care by providing insights into the effectiveness of accessible, scalable, and midwife-led digital interventions in improving maternal psychological well-being and breastfeeding-related outcomes.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Women aged between 18 and 45 years
- Women who have undergone cesarean section
- Within the first 24 hours postpartum
- Able to communicate in Turkish
- Having a healthy singleton newborn
- Willing to participate and provide informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of psychiatric disorders
- Presence of severe maternal complications
- Newborn requiring intensive care unit admission
- Women with communication difficulties
- Participation in another intervention study
