Essential Coaching for Postpartum Support

Overseen By Justine Dol, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: IWK Health Centre

Disqualifiers: Newborn death, No mobile access, Unwilling, Others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if sending helpful text messages to new parents can boost their confidence and reduce anxiety and depression after their first baby. Participants will either receive these supportive messages (Essential Coaching Postpartum) or continue with standard care for comparison. The trial seeks both birthing and non-birthing parents who have just had their first child, understand English, have a cell phone, and live in Nova Scotia. By comparing the two groups after six weeks and six months, the researchers hope to demonstrate that receiving these texts can make early parenthood less stressful. As an unphased trial, this study offers new parents a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could ease early parenthood for others.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on providing support through text messages, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that this program is safe for postpartum support?

Research shows that the Essential Coaching Postpartum program uses text messages to support new parents after childbirth. Studies have found that parents generally appreciate these programs, valuing the guidance and support provided through text messages. This method is easy to use and delivers helpful information directly to parents' phones.

Since the program involves only text messages, it has no known physical side effects. It aims to support mental health by offering advice and information during a challenging time. In past studies, participants reported no safety concerns about receiving these messages. Overall, it is considered a safe and helpful tool for assisting new parents in managing stress and gaining confidence in their new roles. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Essential Coaching for Postpartum Support because it offers a personalized approach to helping new mothers navigate the postpartum period, which can often be overlooked in standard care. Unlike traditional postpartum treatments that might focus on medical or physical recovery, this coaching emphasizes emotional and psychological support, tailored to each mother's unique needs. The goal is to empower mothers with coping strategies and resources to enhance their well-being, which is something current standard care options may not fully address. This innovative approach could lead to improved mental health outcomes and overall quality of life for postpartum women.

What evidence suggests that the Essential Coaching Postpartum program might be effective for postpartum support?

Research has shown that the Essential Coaching Postpartum program, which participants in this trial may receive, can boost new parents' confidence and improve their mental health. In one study of a similar program, new mothers experienced better mental health after receiving supportive text messages. These messages offered useful tips on newborn care and parenting. Another study found that such programs increased parents' sense of capability in their new role. Participants also reported feeling less anxious and depressed compared to those who did not receive the messages. Overall, these findings suggest that mobile health support can ease the stress of becoming a parent. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for new parents in Nova Scotia who have just had their first baby. It's designed to help those feeling less confident or experiencing anxiety, depression, or stress postpartum. To join, parents must be willing to receive and read text messages.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a new parent within 7 days postpartum, speak English, have a cell phone, and live in Nova Scotia.

I am a new non-birthing parent, within 7 days postpartum, understand English, have a cell phone with text and data, and live in Nova Scotia.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants (both birthing and non-birthing parents) will be excluded if the newborn dies or is expected to die prior to leaving the hospital, they have no access to a mobile phone, are unwilling to receive SMS messages, decline or withdraw to participate, or have participated in a previous iteration of this project (e.g., either the development or evaluation).

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive text messages for 6 weeks postpartum to provide information on newborn care and parent outcomes

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in confidence, anxiety, depression, and co-parenting outcomes at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Essential Coaching Postpartum

Trial Overview The Essential Coaching Postpartum program sends text messages with newborn care information and parental support for 6 weeks after birth. The study compares the mental health and co-parenting of parents receiving texts versus those who don't.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Essential Coaching Postpartum Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Standard care Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

IWK Health Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

131

Recruited

112,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9203955/

Effectiveness of the “Essential Coaching for Every Mother” ... This study presents the results of the first Canadian postpartum text message program, which found improved psychosocial outcomes for postpartum women.

2. researchprotocols.org researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e78209

Effectiveness of the Essential Coaching Postpartum Digital ... Objective: The primary objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Essential Coaching Postpartum to standard care on parenting ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04730570

Essential Coaching for Every Mother, a Postpartum Text ... Essential Coaching for Every Mother consists of 53 standardized text messages that provide evidence-based information that women should be aware of related to ...

4. pediatrics.jmir.org pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e62841/PDF

Impact of a 6-Week Postpartum Text Messaging Program ( ... Objective: This study aims to compare parenting self-efficacy, postpartum anxiety symptoms, postpartum depression symptoms, and perceived social ...

5. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12579292/

Effectiveness of the Essential Coaching Postpartum Digital ... The primary objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Essential Coaching Postpartum to standard care on parenting self-efficacy, mental health ...

6. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35559855/

Participants' Perceptions of Essential Coaching for Every ... "Essential Coaching for Every Mother" is a Canadian text message-based program that sends daily messages to mothers for 6 weeks after they give birth.

7. formative.jmir.org formative.jmir.org/2022/5/e36821

Participants' Perceptions of Essential Coaching for Every ... “Essential Coaching for Every Mother” is a Canadian text message–based program that sends daily messages to mothers for 6 weeks after they give birth.

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871519220302432

A postnatal text message educational intervention Essential Coaching for Every Mother is a postnatal text message intervention to improve mothers' access to information on caring for themselves and their ...