‘Beyond the Bump’: development and evaluation of an online wellbeing and
lifestyle pilot program during COVID-19 for first year postpartum
mothers: a research article
Abstract
Objective: To inform, develop and evaluate Beyond the Bump (BtB); an
online program to improve access to education and support physical
activity in the postpartum. Design, Setting and Population: Three-phase
mixed-methods design before, during and following a 10-week
Australia-wide online pilot program during COVID-19 with women in their
first year postpartum and health professionals. Methods: Phase-one:
needs assessment focus groups and interviews postpartum women and heatlh
professionals. Phase-two: program implementation pre-post health
measures survey, attendance and engagement in BtB. Phase-three: program
evaluation feedback surveys and interviews. Main Outcome Measures:
Identify postpartum educational support needs, barriers and enablers of
program attendance and physical activity. Mental health symptoms,
wellbeing health behaviours and physical activity levels. Results: Women
and health professsionals expressed strong need for a postpartum program
with access to expert education on exercise, pelvic floor, sleep and
baby nutrition. Despite BtB being developed from womens suggestions
(including time-of-day ‘morning’), attendance to all ten sessions was
poor (23% (n = 162) participated in first session and 5% in the last
session). Barriers to attendance included ‘too busy’,‘forgot’ and ‘topic
not relevant for age of child’. 88% of women reported education as the
most enjoyable part of the program. 100% of women interviewed would
recommend the program to a friend. Conclusions: There is a continuing
need for postpartum support. Online programs with access to expert
education and exercise were of significant interest and value. However,
more research is needed to improve the uptake and value placed on
mothers’ wellbeing and physical activity.