Breastfeeding, Maternal Health Care, Maternal Satisfaction, Newborn Health, Postpartum Care, Postpartum Depression (PPD), Quality of Care
Conditions
Keywords
Respectful Maternity Care, Postpartum Care, Maternal Health, Newborn Health
Brief summary
This study will examine whether a Respectful Maternity Care-based action plan can improve the quality of postpartum care and maternal and newborn outcomes. Nurses and midwives will receive a three-day interactive training about respectful, evidence-based postpartum care. After training, a unit-level action plan will be implemented, including supportive visits, educational materials, and feedback meetings. Women receiving routine postpartum care before the intervention will be compared with women receiving care after implementation. Outcomes will include respectful maternity care experiences, maternal satisfaction, exclusive breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks, maternal mental health, mother-infant bonding, and postpartum complications. The goal of this study is to promote respectful, high-quality postpartum care and improve the health and well-being of mothers and newborns.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALRespectful Maternity Care Training and Action Plan
This intervention involves a structured Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) training program for nurses and midwives, followed by the implementation of an evidence-based RMC action plan during postpartum care. The training includes modules on dignity, privacy, informed consent, effective communication, emotional support, newborn bonding and breastfeeding support, and person-centered postpartum practices. Participants in the intervention arm will receive postpartum care according to the RMC guidelines and structured care forms developed for the study.
Sponsors
ilayda sel
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
This is a quasi-experimental, controlled before-after study with two parallel groups. Postpartum women receiving routine care before the training and action plan implementation constitute the control group, and postpartum women receiving care after the intervention constitute the intervention group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 49 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Postpartum women aged 18 years and older * Gave birth at 37-42 gestational weeks (vaginal or cesarean) * Have a single, healthy newborn * No chronic medical conditions * No history of high-risk pregnancy or fetal complications * No communication barriers (e.g., visual or hearing impairment) * Able to speak and understand Turkish * Literate and able to read and write in Turkish
Exclusion criteria
* Development of maternal or neonatal complications during the postpartum follow-up period * Inability to reach the mother at the 8-week postpartum follow-up
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Respectful Maternity Care Score | Baseline (within 24 hours postpartum) and 6 weeks postpartum | Respectful maternity care will be assessed using the Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) scale, which evaluates dignity, privacy, informed consent, emotional support, communication, and person-centered postpartum practices. Higher scores indicate higher levels of respectful maternity care. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal Satisfaction with Postpartum Care | At discharge (within 48 hours postpartum) | Maternal satisfaction with postpartum care will be assessed using a validated postpartum satisfaction questionnaire, measuring perceptions of communication, emotional support, involvement in care, and overall satisfaction with hospital postpartum services. Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction. |
| Postpartum Depression Score | 6 weeks postpartum | Depressive symptoms will be evaluated using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Higher scores indicate higher depressive symptoms. A cutoff score of ≥13 suggests risk of postpartum depression. |
| Adherence to Evidence-Based Postpartum Care Practices | Immediately postpartum (within 24 hours) | A structured postpartum care checklist will be used to evaluate compliance with respectful and evidence-based postpartum care practices (privacy, informed consent, emotional support, newborn bonding, breastfeeding support, early mobilization, postpartum monitoring). Higher scores indicate greater adherence to evidence-based guidelines. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
Primary Contactİlayda Sel Bilim, MSc, RN
Backup Contactİlkay Güngör Satılmış, Prof.
Outcome results
None listed