Mapping remembering, recovering, and relating: At-risk mothers' needs across pregnancy and postpartum within a...

Perinatal research on mobile health interventions has shown limited attention to how at-risk mothers express their needs within structured, moderated, and clinically embedded digital platforms. Little is known about how these needs evolve longitudinally across the perinatal period.

The perinatal period is marked by increased vulnerability to psychological distress and psychosocial stressors, especially among at-risk mothers. Mobile health interventions have therefore gained prominence as accessible strategies to support maternal wellbeing.

This study examined the nature and timing of support needs expressed by at-risk mothers within a moderated, multimodal digital peer-support intervention from pregnancy to six-months postpartum.

A qualitative descriptive study using inductive qualitative content analysis was conducted on the Supporting At-risk Mothers Across the Perinatal Period (SMART) intervention in Singapore. Data included discussion forum posts, gratitude journal entries, and private mother-peer messages. Messages were coded inductively and categorised to identify patterns of expressed needs across pregnancy, early postpartum (0-6 weeks), and late postpartum (6-weeks-6-months).

Five main categories were identified: (1)physical recovery and self-care, (2)psychosocial stressors and environmental challenges, (3)preparation for and adaptation to motherhood, (4)emotional coping and resilience, and (5)social and interpersonal relationships, comprising 18 subcategories.

Findings highlight the dynamic and interconnected nature of mothers' physical, emotional, and social challenges during the transition to motherhood. Analysing naturally occurring digital interactions provides ecologically valid insights into how mothers articulate concerns within supportive environments.

Mapping expressed maternal needs across perinatal phases can inform the timing and content of midwifery-led psychosocial support, anticipatory guidance, and peer-support training.