Home-based versus hospital-based postnatal care a randomised trial

Both web-based and home-based interventions helped mothers to get better social support at all post-tests than those in the control group. Mothers in both web-based and home-based intervention groups were more satisfied with the postnatal care than those in the control group at all post-test time points except for web-based group at post-test 1. There were no differences in anxiety scores among the three groups. When compared to the home-based intervention, the web-based intervention showed noninferior effect on all outcomes at all post-tests.

Conclusion: The web-based intervention had better effects on improving self-efficacy, social support, and postnatal depression, which should be introduced to first-time mothers for better postnatal care. Abstract Background: Besides physical and mental changes from childbirth, first-time mothers are also confronted with challenges associated with the demands of adapting to their roles as new parents. Publication types Randomized Controlled Trial. Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Maternity unit of a Swiss teaching hospital. Population: Four hundred and fifty-nine women with a single uncomplicated pregnancy at low risk of caesarean section. Home-based postnatal care consisted of early discharge from hospital 24 to 48 hours after delivery and home visits by a midwife; women in the hospital-based care group were hospitalised for four to five days.

Main outcome measures: Breastfeeding 28 days postpartum, women's views of their care and readmission to hospital.