title: Interventions to reduce postpartum stress in first-time mothers: a randomized-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The postpartum period can be a challenging time particularly for first-time mothers. This study aimed to assess two different interventions designed to reduce stress in the postpartum among first-time mothers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy first-time mothers with healthy newborns were recruited from hospitals in Beirut, Lebanon after delivery. The two interventions were a 20-minute film addressing common stressors in the postpartum period and a 24-hour telephone support hotline. Participants were randomized to one of four study arms to receive either the postpartum support film, the hotline service, both interventions, or a music CD (control). Participants were interviewed at eight to twelve weeks postpartum for assessment of levels of stress as measured by the Cohen Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 632 eligible women, 552 (88%) agreed to participate in the study. Of those, 452 (82%) completed the study. Mean PSS-10 scores of mothers who received the film alone (15.76) or the film with the hotline service (15.86) were significantly lower than that of the control group (18.93) (p-value <0.01). Among mothers who received the hotline service alone mean PSS-10 score (16.98) was also significantly lower than that of the control group (p-value <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both our postpartum support film and the 24-hour telephone hotline service reduced stress in the postpartum period in first-time mothers. These simple interventions can be easily implemented and could have an important impact on the mental wellbeing of new mothers.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (identifier # NCT00857051) on March 5, 2009.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. h.osman@balsam-lb.org.
authors.forename: Hibah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.forename: Matilda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaaya
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Naasan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D009040:Motion Pictures; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult