Smartphone support app for new mothers after childbirth
Digital Maternal Support Tool Implementation: Research to Inform a Statewide Postpartum App Implementation Strategy
This project will test a smartphone app that provides education, symptom screening, and positive parenting support for newly postpartum English-speaking mothers in Pennsylvania.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Pittsburgh Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07295015 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial enrolls recently postpartum English-speaking women recruited at UPMC Magee‑Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh who will use a postpartum support smartphone app for eight weeks. Participants complete surveys before and after the 8-week period to measure changes in symptom knowledge and parenting attitudes and to report on usability and acceptability. The app delivers education, symptom screening and tracking, and positive parenting messages on participants' phones. Study staff will analyze feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness by comparing pre- and post-intervention responses.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking mothers aged 18–45 who recently delivered one or two live births at the hospital recruitment site and have smartphone access for at least two months.
Not a fit: People who cannot participate in English, do not have smartphone access for the study duration, delivered outside the recruitment site, or are under 18 or over 45 are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could help new mothers recognize important postpartum symptoms earlier and reinforce positive parenting beliefs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous feasibility studies of postpartum and maternal health apps have shown reasonable acceptability and some gains in knowledge or attitudes, but robust evidence of broad clinical benefit remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Recently delivered one or two live births at hospital recruitment site * 18-45 years of age * Can participate in English * Has smartphone access for at least two months (study duration) Exclusion Criteria: * Did NOT recently deliver one or two live births at hospital recruitment site * \<18 or \>45 years of age * Cannot participate in English * Does not have smartphone for at least two months (study duration)
Where this trial is running
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Tamar Krishnamurti, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Tamar Krishnamurti, PhD
- Email: tamark@pitt.edu
- Phone: 412-383-5556
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.