JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The postpartum period is a critical phase in a woman's life, marked by various physical, psychological, and social challenges. Considering the rapid proliferation and uptake of digital technologies, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mothers increasingly seek informational and emotional support from digital resources. No previous study has thoroughly explored the use of various digital resources beyond telehealth services in the UAE. This literature gap is particularly relevant for the postpartum period, which remains largely understudied in the UAE.

Objective:

This study aimed to explore the digital experiences of postpartum women in the UAE and identify their perspectives and needs for digital resources during the postpartum period.

Methods:

Four discussion groups were conducted with a total of 27 multicultural mothers within their first year postpartum, living in the UAE. Descriptive interpretive thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data.

Results:

Two main themes emerged from the analysis. (1) Mothers' experience with the use of digital resources. Participants valued digital resources for providing immediate information, convenience, and support. They used them to seek infant health information and parenting advice and to obtain emotional support through online communities. However, the abundance of conflicting information and the pressure to conform to health recommendations created stress and anxiety. (2) The perceived need for digital resources. Mothers expressed the need for a reliable UAE government digital platform tailored to postpartum care, offering trusted information on infant health and postpartum mental health. They also emphasized the importance of postpartum telemedicine services and online discussion forums with other mothers to foster peer support.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the multifaceted role of digital resources in supporting mothers' postpartum journeys. The findings demonstrate the importance of developing reliable digital platforms for postpartum care, improved mental health resources, and telemedicine services. The findings call for collaborative efforts to address the unmet needs of mothers and contribute to the enhancement of postpartum care in the digital age.