Parental Well-being After Childbirth in Switzerland
Recruiting · NCT06886841 · Observational (researchers observe without assigning treatment) · Lead sponsor: Laurent Gaucher
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →What this trial is about
Improving maternal and child health is a global priority, with increasing emphasis on ensuring women and their families not only survive but also thrive after childbirth. While high-income countries like Switzerland provide strong antenatal and intrapartum care, the quality of postnatal care often lags behind, despite the critical physical, mental, and social needs of the postpartum period. Studies indicate high rates of mental distress, physical pain, and sexual discomfort among mothers, alongside a lack of research on the well-being of co-parents. The main question this cohort study aims to answer is: how do the health and well-being of mothers and co-parents evolve during the first year after childbirth? Participants will complete four online questionnaires: the first within the first few days after birth, followed by additional assessments at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. This comprehensive approach seeks to inform policy and improve evidence-based postnatal care practices, benefiting approximately 80,000 families annually in Switzerland.
Who can take part
Inclusion criteria
- Women who give birth in a participating maternity unit or birth center during the study period.
- Partner of a participating women: the partner must be designated by the mother, live with her at the time of birth, and only one partner can be included per mother.
- Gestational age at birth: ≥22+0 weeks and/or birthweight ≥500 grams
- Age: Participants must be 14 years or older.
- Language Proficiency: Participants must have sufficient proficiency in one of Switzerland's main official languages (German, French, Italian) or English to ensure accurate communication and comprehension of study materials.
Exclusion criteria
- Refusal to participate
- Inability to provide informed consent
Where it is running
2 locations listed.
- Haute Ecole de Santé Genève - Geneva, Switzerland
- ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences - Winterthur, Switzerland