Effect of a Respectful Maternity Care-Based Action Plan in Postpartum Care on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07280000

ilayda sel500 enrolled

Overview

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.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

500

Conditions

Postpartum Care Maternal Health Care Newborn Health

Interventions

Respectful Maternity Care Training and Action PlanBEHAVIORAL

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.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 49 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Respectful Maternity Care Score

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.

Time frame: Baseline (within 24 hours postpartum) and 6 weeks postpartum

Secondary Outcomes

Maternal Satisfaction with Postpartum Care

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.

Time frame: At discharge (within 48 hours postpartum)

Postpartum Depression Score

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.

Time frame: 6 weeks postpartum

Adherence to Evidence-Based Postpartum Care Practices

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.

Time frame: Immediately postpartum (within 24 hours)

Central Contacts

İlayda Sel Bilim, MSc, RN

CONTACT

+90 530 844 95 27 ilayda.sel@iuc.edu.tr

İlkay Güngör Satılmış, Prof.