Comparing Integrative Midwife-led vs. Fragmented Inpatient Postpartum Care: Impact on Satisfaction and Transition to Motherhood

A randomised controlled longitudinal study with three data collection points is being conducted on two postnatal wards.

All women who give birth during the study period, meet the inclusion criteria, and provide informed consent are randomised after delivery to one of the two postnatal wards using Randomiser software. Allocation is stratified by parity, induction of labour, and mode of delivery.

In control group, mothers and their newborns receive care separately according to the standard model by registered general nurses (DGKP) and paediatric nurses (DKKP). In intervention group, mothers and their newborns receive care together from midwives and nursing staff within the framework of an integrative care model.

Regardless of the care model, clinical parameters for both mother and child are gathered at discharge according to the medical record. Additionally, demographic data of the mother is recorded. The mothers are also asked to complete the initial part of the WOMBPMSQ, the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF), and the Beginning Breastfeeding Survey-Cumulative (BBS-C) questionnaire.

One month after birth, participants receive a QR code via SMS or email, granting access to the second data collection. At this point, information is collected on current and previous breastfeeding practices, as well as the health status of both mother and child. Additionally, the second part of the WOMBPNSQ and the BIMF are completed once again.

The third and final data collection occurs four months after birth. Participants receive another QR code to access the online survey. Questions focus on past, current, and intended breastfeeding practices, as well as the health status of both mother and child. Furthermore, the BIMF and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) are completed. The study concludes with an open-ended question.

Following the completion of data collection, the two groups will be compared based on the collected data.

The following validated questionnaires were selected for this project:

• WOMen's views of Birth Postnatal Satisfaction Questionnaire (WOMBPNSQ) (Smith, 2011; Panagopoulou, 2018; Norhayati et al., 2021),
• The Beginning Breastfeeding Survey - Cumulative (BBS-C) (Mulder, 2013),
• Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) (Barkin et al., 2010),
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (Bergant et al., 1998). The EPDS and BIMF are already available in validated German translations. The WOMBPNSQ and BBS-C will be translated into German, adapted, and validated as part of this study.

Inclusion criteria

• Women aged 18 to 50 years at the time of delivery
• Classified as "low-risk" by the obstetric team in the delivery room
• Gestational age at birth between 36+0 and 42+0 weeks
• Singleton birth (only one child born)
• Intent to breastfeed
• Consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

• Women younger than 18 or older than 50 at the time of delivery
• Classified as "high-risk" by the obstetric team
• Multiple birth (e.g., twins, triplets)
• No intention or ability to breastfeed the newborn