Download

Download Full Text (1.3 MB)

Description

Postpartum women experience significant physical, emotional, and lifestyle changes, yet care often prioritizes the infant, leaving mothers with limited recovery education. This doctoral capstone project developed and implemented an occupational therapy (OT)-informed, home-based education program for pregnant and postpartum women, in collaboration with Moonstone Wellness OT, a private occupational therapy practice in El Paso, Texas. The program, guided by the Person-Environment-Occupation model, covered OT awareness, pain education, lymphatic system and swelling management, scar healing, pelvic floor health, energy conservation, body mechanics, and emotional well-being. Sessions were individualized and one-on-one, delivered either in-home or via telehealth, and supported by a Facilitator Handbook and participant education materials in English and Spanish. Nine participants completed matched pre- and post-education surveys measuring knowledge, confidence, and awareness of OT's role in postpartum recovery. Mean knowledge scores rose from 30.8 to 53.6 out of 55, an increase of 22.8 points, and 88.9% of participants showed improvement. Program satisfaction averaged 4.8 out of 5. These results suggest that individualized, occupation-based education can improve postpartum knowledge, confidence, and participation in daily occupations. This can help mothers better care for their baby and engage in what is meaningful to them. Findings also showed increased awareness of OT's role in postpartum recovery, reflecting a broader gap in community knowledge of OT services. Expanding OT's presence in postpartum care through partnerships with pediatric and OB/GYN clinics could help close this gap. The Facilitator Handbook developed through this project offers one way to sustain the program beyond the capstone experience.

Publication Date

2026

Keywords

postpartum recovery, occupational therapy, maternal health, home-based education, occupation-based practice

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Alvarado 

Capstone Site: Moonstone Wellness OT 

Optimizing Postpartum Recovery: An Occupational Therapy–Informed Home-Based Education Program

Share

COinS