Essential Coaching Postpartum: Evaluating a Parent-focused Postpartum Text Message Program in Nova Scotia

What this Trial Is About

The transition to parenthood can be both exciting and challenging, with many parents experiencing lower confidence, increased anxiety and depression, and feelings of isolation in the first year after their baby is born. Researchers are evaluating a mobile health program called Essential Coaching Postpartum designed to support both birthing and non-birthing parents by providing tailored text messages during this important time. The study aims to compare parents who receive these messages with those who do not, focusing on outcomes like confidence, anxiety, depression, and co-parenting. The Essential Coaching Postpartum program sends evidence-based text messages to parents for six weeks after birth. During the first three weeks, parents receive two messages daily—one at 10am and one at 5pm—and then one message daily at 10am for the following three weeks. The messages are personalized based on whether the parent gave birth or is a partner, sharing information about newborn care and mental health support. Participants are randomly assigned to either receive this program or standard care without messages. Participants will be involved from shortly after the birth of their first child and will be assessed at enrollment, six weeks, and six months postpartum. Researchers will evaluate parenting self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, childcare stress, general distress, sleep, relationship satisfaction, and co-parenting practices. The study includes monitoring through questionnaires and surveys over time to understand how the program affects parents’ wellbeing and adjustment during early parenthood.

Essential Coaching Postpartum: Evaluating a Parent-focused Postpartum Text Message Program in Nova Scotia