Developing and introducing a post birth care plan (PBCP): An action research project.

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Healthcare Innovation
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Poor evaluation of post-birth care impacts women's satisfaction.
• There is a need for improved, individualized post-birth care strategies.
• Current care models may not adequately address diverse women's needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an acceptable and usable post-birth care plan template (PBCP).
• To enhance women's satisfaction with post-birth care through collaborative design.
• To create a tool that addresses comprehensive post-birth needs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative methodology utilizing an action research design.
• Collaboration with 10 pregnant women and 6 community midwives in North East Scotland.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data to inform template development.

Main Results:

• Seven themes emerged, guiding the PBCP template format: transition preparation, physical and psychosocial needs, cultural/spiritual considerations, care organization, knowledge transfer, and financial guidance.
• The template facilitates comprehensive information coverage and individualized care planning.
• An open, conversational style allows for exploration of evolving post-birth needs.

Conclusions:

• Women and midwives recognized the PBCP's benefit for comprehensive, individualized, and organized care, particularly in fragmented systems.
• PBCPs foster meaningful, respectful conversations between women and midwives.
• This approach has the potential to significantly increase women's satisfaction with their care.