WeChat Continuity Nursing on Postpartum Depression and Quality of Life in Primipara Undergoing Cesarean Delivery

To assess the effectiveness of WeChat-based continuity nursing in reducing postpartum depression and improving the quality of life among primiparous women undergoing cesarean delivery.

A total of 200 patients who intended to undergo cesarean delivery in our hospital between January 2021 and January 2022 were recruited for this study, including 20 patients who refused to participate in the study and 30 patients who did not meet the criteria of this study for various reasons, and a total of 150 cases were finally included. All participants were assigned 1:1 into the control group and observation group according to the time of the first pregnancy test and the primiparous in the observation group were given WeChat continuity nursing, and the primiparous in the control group was given routine obstetric care. WeChat continuity nursing included establishment of continuity nursing team, WeChat group setup and communication, education and support, and psychological counseling and follow-up. The baseline data of all mothers were collected and recorded, and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), quality of life scores, maternal and infant complications, and the satisfaction rate of care were compared between the two groups.

The SAS and SDS scores of the observation group were consistently lower than those of the control group at 1, 3, and 6 months post-hospital discharge (P < .01). Following the implementation of WeChat continuity nursing intervention, patients in the observation group demonstrated significant improvements in mental health, physical function, somatic pain, vitality, and social function scores compared to the control group (P < .01). Additionally, the incidence of complications was notably lower in the observation group, including reduced rates of incisional infection, breast swelling, unclear dew, abnormal defecation among mothers, and decreased occurrence of breech redness, umbilical cord issues, eczema, and delayed umbilical cord detachment among infants (P < .05). Moreover, the satisfaction rate among patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (95.507% vs. 84.058%) (P < .05). These findings highlight the efficacy and importance of integrating WeChat continuity nursing intervention into postpartum care practices.

Our study strongly supports the effectiveness of WeChat continuity nursing intervention in improving postpartum mental health, reducing complications, and increasing patient satisfaction. These findings suggest the potential for integrating digital nursing interventions into standard postpartum care practices, offering personalized and accessible healthcare services. Policymakers and healthcare providers should consider adopting such interventions to optimize postpartum outcomes and enhance patient experiences.