OT in Maternal Health

Course overview

In a general sense, maternal health refers to the mental, physical, and emotional needs that any woman experiences during the course of a pregnancy, the labor and delivery process, and in the postnatal/postpartum period. Each of these formative periods in a mother's life is often associated with concerns related to occupational engagement, the assumption of new roles, and occupational balance. New or expectant mothers may have difficulty accessing or enjoying once-preferred activities, be overly consumed with difficult or unfamiliar occupations, or feel unable to perform new occupations due to a lack of resources. Evidence shows positive long-term impacts on both mother and child when maternal health needs are met. Many healthcare professionals may be involved in helping meet the needs of new or expectant mothers, and OTs are often a part of that interprofessional team. Many maternal health concerns can be addressed by OTs, who structure all treatment with a holistic and family-centered approach. Some maternal health aspects that OTs are equipped to manage include preconception practices, postnatal care, maternal mental health, family planning, prenatal care, and acclimating to the new role of parenting. This makes maternal health yet another area in which OTs are qualified to practice.