In the current study, primi and multigravida women often
reported an unmet desire for more advice and guidance on the
care of their newborn(s) both on the hospital ward and also in the
early weeks at home. Staffing pressures in the public health
system pose significant constraints on such responsiveness, but
information and communication technologies (ICT) seem to have
the potential to play an increased role in supporting health
professionals to better respond to the needs of women during
the early postnatal period. For example, encouraging women to
record any education sessions they have with midwives so that
they have a subsequent point of follow-up reference might prove
useful for some. Establishing short-term (e.g. the first two to three
weeks postnatal) ‘virtual groups’ of new mothers soon after the
birth with midwife-facilitation might also offer an opportunity for
more efficient and consistent information sharing on common
topics of interest. More generally, the ICT area seems a productive
focus for applied research into efficient ways in which women's
postpartum care needs might be better addressed.