Effects of Internet-Based Support Program on Parenting Outcomes for Primiparous Women: A Pilot Study

(1) Background: Some primiparous women are usually confronted with many parenting problems after childbirth, which can negatively influence the wellbeing of some mothers and infants. Evidence identified that internet interventions can include more tailored information, reach a larger research group, and supply more anonymity than face-to-face traditional interventions. Therefore, the internet-based support program (ISP) was designed to improve the parenting outcomes for Chinese first-time mothers. (2) Methods: A multicenter, single-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. From May to October 2020, a total of 44 participants were recruited in the obstetrical wards of two tertiary hospitals in China. Eighteen women in the control group received routine postnatal care; while eighteen women in the intervention group accessed to the ISP and routine postnatal care. The duration of intervention was not less than three months. Intervention outcomes were assessed through questionnaires before randomization (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), and three months after intervention (T2). The Self-efficacy in Infant Care Scale (SICS), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Postpartum Social Support Scale (PSSS) were included to measure MSE, postpartum depression (PPD), and social support, respectively. (3) Results: No significant difference between the two groups were found in terms of the baseline social-demographic characteristics; and the scores of SICS, EPDS and PSSS at T0 (p > 0.05). Repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance found that women in the intervention group had a higher MSE score at T1 (6.63, p = 0.007), and T2 (5.75, p = 0.020); a lower EPDS score at T1 (3.11, p = 0.003), and T2 (2.50, p = 0.005); and a higher PSSS score at T1 (4.30, p = 0.001); and no significant difference at T2 (0.35, p = 0.743), compared with women in the control group. (4) Conclusion: The effect of ISP was evaluated to significantly increase primiparous women's MSE, social support, and to alleviate their PPD symptoms. However, the small sample in pilot study restricted the research results. Therefore, the ISP should be further investigated with a larger, diverse sample to confirm whether it should be adopted as routine postnatal care to support primiparous women on parenting outcomes and mental wellbeing in the early stage of motherhood.