Exploring Opportunities to Address Maternal Health with Occupational Therapy: Filling A Gap in Care

Background

Traditional Maternal Care Maternal Wellness Model Discussion & Solutions

Maternal Health RisksReferences

Barkin, J.L. & Wisner, K.L. (2012). The role of maternal self-care in new motherhood. Midwifery, 29, 1050-1055.

Fahey, J.O & Shenassa, E. (2013). Understanding and meeting the needs of women in the postpartum period: The perinatal maternal health promotion model. Journal of Midwifery &Women’s Health, 58, 613-621.

Leahy-Warren, P., McCarthy, G. & Corcoran, P. (2011). First-time mothers: Social support, maternalparental self –efficacy and postnatal depression. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 21, 388-397.

Ortiz, V. (2018, April 25). New postpartum guidelines urge ‘4th trimester’ treatment for mom afterbaby. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 4.26.18 from http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-life-new-postpartum-guidelines-20180424-story.html

Podvey, M. (2018). Interprofessional collaborations in maternal health. SIS Quarterly PracticeConnections, 3(1), 10-12.

Slootjes, H., McKinstry, C., & Kenny, A. (2016). Maternal role transition: Why new mothers needoccupational therapists. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 63, 130-133.

Walker, L.O., Murphey, C.L. & Nichols, F. (2015). The broken thread of health promotion and disease prevention for women during the postpartum period. Journal of Perinatal Education, 24(2), 81-92.

Whitney, R & Caretta, M. (2018). Women as occupational beings: Considering all the roles of injured workers who are mothers, SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 3(1), 29-29.

Postpartum stress

Anxiety

Fatigue

↓ Self care

↑ Risk for physical &

mental illness

Impacts health of

entire household

Opportunities To Work With New Mothers

Emotional

Physical

Psycho-social

PhysicalRecovery

Maternal Role

Attainment

Care of Self, Infant, &

Family

Social Support

• How will mom get support?

• Various types of support

• Communicate needs – be concrete with requests

Self-efficacy

• Mom needs to feel capable

• Permission to fail –You can’t control all

• Troubleshoot anticipated difficulties

Positive Coping

• Identify coping skills – ‘what to do when …’

• Stress and anger management

• Step away techniques

Realistic Expectation

• Normalize feelings – being overwhelmed is universal

• Education

• Infant temperament variations