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. 2025 Sep:45:101121.
doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101121. Epub 2025 Jun 6.

Expectant and new mothers' experiences from digital midwifery care and information during pregnancy and postpartum

Bäckström Caroline  1 , Nilvér Helena  2 , Byhmer Linda  2 , Stridh Tiina  2 , Palmér Lina  2
Affiliations
Free article

Expectant and new mothers' experiences from digital midwifery care and information during pregnancy and postpartum

Bäckström Caroline et al. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2025 Sep.
Free article

Abstract

Objective: Globally, the use of digital solutions in midwifery care, parental information, and antenatal classes is increasing. However, research on how these digital solutions function for mothers has not kept pace. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe expectant and new mothers' experiences from digital midwifery care and information during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: This is a Swedish study with a qualitative method and an inductive approach. Twelve expectant and new mothers were individually interviewed, and data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: The results are presented in one overall theme: An ongoing Negotiation between digital and physical midwifery care is required to promote engagement and address needs, and three themes: A complement that creates flexibility but request balance; Enable participation and inclusion of partners, and The needs of being seen and heard are met to various extends.

Conclusion: While the flexibility offered through digital midwifery care and parental information is beneficial and facilitates convenience for mothers, digital midwifery care is not entirely interchangeable with physical midwifery care, including antenatal classes. An ongoing negotiation between digital and physical midwifery care is essential to achieve balanced midwifery care that addresses the unique, individual needs of mothers throughout different stages during pregnancy and postpartum.

Keywords: Antenatal care; Digital; Midwife; Post partum care; Pregnancy; Thematic analysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: The authors have no competing interests. During the preparation of this work the authors used ChatGPT to improve readability and language for some parts of the text. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and took full responsibility for the content of the publication.

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