Postpartum Education and Health Literacy: New Moms’ Perspectives

Globally, 830 women die daily from preventable postpartum issues. Little research exists on health literacy’s role in maternal morbidity and mortality. This study examined new moms’ perception of postpartum education in Texas using the Integrated Model of Health Literacy. Twenty-one postpartum women underwent semi-structured interviews. We assessed their ability to access, understand, appraise and apply information based on postnatal education. Participants identified gaps in consistency and usability including too much information, lack of time to read and lack of cultural sensitivity especially about postpartum depression (PPD). Findings suggested a need for standardized, concise, health literate and culturally sensitive postpartum education.