Navigate a Healthy Pregnancy

Market: Young Adults - Expectant parents

Scenario: A 26-year-old expectant parent and their doctor create a plan for their baby's arrival. They research necessary items and prepare a safe, healthy home environment. The parent ensures all health and safety measures are in place. Following the plan, they track their and the baby's health, give birth, and care for their baby postpartum.

Average Difficulty: Intense (30%+ max difficulty score across most steps)

62 Outcomes 5% to 43% Difficulty

Research Insights

This study identified the most difficult aspects of navigating a healthy pregnancy including postpartum recovery and care, preparation and education for birth, and emotional and mental support. New birthing parents struggle with accessing mental health support, preparing for the pain and duration of labor, dealing with postpartum depression, and balancing work and pregnancy.

Job Steps

1. Make a plan with our doctor for our baby's arrival

2. Research what we need

3. Prepare a safe, healthy place at home for our new baby

4. Make sure we've done everything for our baby and the birthing parent's health and safety

5. Follow the steps we planned for our baby's arrival

6. Track the birthing parent's and baby's health leading up to baby's arrival

7. Give birth

Themes Identified

• Postpartum Recovery and Care: Increasing postpartum visits for mental health support, awareness of work-life balance challenges, guidance on physical recovery, and pre-pregnancy awareness of challenges.
• Preparation and Education for Birth: Increasing preparedness for pain and duration of labor, different birth scenarios, and unexpected situations, while decreasing uncertainty in identifying labor onset.
• Emotional and Mental Support: Increasing support for postpartum depression, decreasing feelings of helplessness, enhancing emotional support after childbirth, and emphasizing self-care for the birthing parent.

Recommendations

• Develop a comprehensive postpartum support program that includes mental health services, community support, and guidance on physical recovery.
• Create educational materials and resources to help expectant birthing parents prepare for various birth scenarios and the postpartum period.
• Offer personalized consultation and support for emotional adjustment to parenthood and self-care practices.
• Enhance the availability of home visits from health care professionals to provide ongoing support and education on postpartum challenges.
• Establish a clear, accessible platform for scheduling and tracking health progress, appointments, and medical care during pregnancy.

Cautions

• Avoid overlooking the importance of mental health support and emotional well-being during and after pregnancy.
• Do not assume that all pregnant people have the same level of knowledge or preparation for labor, delivery, and postpartum challenges.
• Be mindful of the unique challenges faced by working birthing parents and the need for resources to help balance work and pregnancy.
• Do not underestimate the value of personalized support and guidance throughout the pregnancy and postpartum journey.
• Ensure that any digital tools or platforms are user-friendly and accessible to birthing parents from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of technical expertise.