Abstract
BACKGROUND: First-time mothers may encounter various problems during postpartum, which can result in negative emotions that can affect infant care. In today's Internet era, continuous nursing services can be provided to mothers and their babies after delivery through Internet-based platforms. This approach can help reduce negative emotions of primiparas and promote better health for both mothers and babies. AIM: To explore the effect of Internet Plus-based postpartum healthcare services on postpartum depression of primiparas and neonatal growth and development and thus provide a scientific basis for strengthening postpartum healthcare measures and better protect maternal and child health. METHODS: The study retrospectively collected data of primiparas and their newborns who underwent prenatal examination and successfully delivered at the Ninth People's Hospital of Suzhou City. The observation group included 30 primiparas and their newborns who received Internet Plus-based postpartum healthcare services between July and December 2024. According to the principle of matching (1:1) control study, the control group included 30 primiparas and their newborns who received routine postpartum healthcare services between January and June 2024. The maternal role adaptation questionnaire scores, breastfeeding rates, Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) scores, and newborn growth and development (height, head circumference, and weight) were compared between the two groups at the time of discharge after delivery and 6-week postpartum follow-up. RESULTS: Upon hospital discharge, the two groups did not demonstrate significant differences in maternal role adaptation scores, breastfeeding rates, EPDS scores, as well as newborn height, head circumference, and weight at birth (P > 0.05). At the 6-week postpartum follow-up, the maternal role adaptation score and breastfeeding rate were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, one case of postpartum depression was reported in the observation group and eight in the control group. Moreover, the control group exhibited a significant increase in EPDS scores compared with scores at hospital discharge (P < 0.05), whereas the observation group showed only a marginal, nonsignificant increase in EPDS scores (P > 0.05). The EPDS score of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), indicating a lower risk of postpartum depression in the observation group. The length, head circumference, and weight of the newborns 6 weeks after birth were increased compared with those at birth, and the growth rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), indicating better growth and development in the observation group. CONCLUSION: Internet Plus-based postpartum healthcare services improve maternal role adaptation, increase breastfeeding rates, mitigate postpartum depression risk, and promote neonatal growth and development in primiparas.