We reviewed a study by Osma, Jorge, Aline Z. Barrera, and Eleni Ramphos. "Are pregnant and postpartum women interested in health-related apps? Implications for the prevention of perinatal depression." Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking 19.6 (2016): 412-415.

Studies have shown that women are more likely than men to use the Internet to seek health information and that technology use is common among perinatal women. In a cross-sectional anonymous online survey for English—and Spanish-speaking perinatal women, 509 pregnant (77.6 %) and postpartum (22.4 %) women provided demographic and Information and Communication Technologies data.

• Results indicated that the mobile phone was the single device with the greatest access (47.5 %).

• 90% of respondents searched for health-related information

• 72.3 percent had downloaded any kind of app.

We research Post Partum Depression (PPD) to get a better understanding of the condition. What we discovered was that during pregnancy, a time when the body has high nutritional requirements and those nutritional requirements are not being met to the point the body is going through nutritional deficiency then there is a risk of PPD. In addition, nutrient needs are higher for postpartum moms for tissue and muscle repair, especially for mothers recovering from cesarean births. The surgical incisions involved with cesarean birth and any tears or lacerations incurred from vaginal birth are wounds that require significantly more energy and nutrition to heal from.

User Research

We conducted a survey asking new mothers what their journey from pregnancy to motherhood was like. Many mothers expressed that they were happy with their baby but not themselves. They stated they felt alone, isolated, and emotionally damaged. We asked if they were interested in a postpartum app and 85.7% would be interested. Women also stated they didn’t love themselves. Some women wanted to understand their own emotions and group support.

Empathy Map

We managed interviews with five mothers from the ages of 28-39. The findings of the interviews showed that the mothers felt that they were uninformed about PPD. They had feelings of isolation, and a lack of personal check-ins with the mother; most attention was on the baby. They had feelings of sadness, fatigue, overwhelm, shame, and guilt.

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Pain Points

• Women felt like something was wrong with them

• They didn’t feel comfortable in their new body

• They have this unknown sadness

• They felt like they were failing

As we review our research and analyzed the pains and gains from our main demographic, we created a user persona to feel more of an empathetic connection with our users. Margaux Bastille is a young mother absolutely in love with her son, but she feels different after giving birth, she feels like she isn’t herself and feels lost.

User Story

Now that we understand who Margaux is, we need to explore her journey without our application. By focusing on her needs, the challenges she faces, and the problems she encounters, we can identify how Look After can provide effective solutions.

Problem

In general, there is a significant lack of awareness and resources for PPD. Searching app stores for solutions often leads to low-quality apps that charge for their so-called 'services.' With such limited tools, mothers are left to face these challenges alone.

Reviewing the Emotional Journey Map highlights the intensely negative user experience, particularly during such a delicate period in their lives

Lo-Fi Sketches

By creating an app dedicated to PPD information and resources, we can raise awareness and offer coping strategies for this prevalent yet often 'hidden' condition. The app will be tailored specifically to new mothers, addressing their unique needs and emotions during this transformative time.