Occupational therapy in maternal health: A critical review

INTRODUCTION / RATIONALE The transition to motherhood is a significant, stressful life event, which can be supported by occupational therapists. Occupational therapists make valuable contributions throughout the perinatal... [ view full abstract ]

INTRODUCTION / RATIONALE
The transition to motherhood is a significant, stressful life event, which can be supported by occupational therapists. Occupational therapists make valuable contributions throughout the perinatal period; despite limited research on the role. The potential for occupational therapists in perinatal care has been identified for more than a decade, with researchers calling for exploration of occupation in pregnancy, birth and motherhood. There are currently few known occupational therapists practicing in maternal health.

OBJECTIVES
To investigate what is known about the developing role of occupational therapists working with women during their pregnancy, childbirth and to one year postpartum.

METHOD
Using a structured framework, a critical review was completed to identify literature published between 2003-2014 on the role of occupational therapists in the perinatal period. A search of relevant databases and hand searching yielded a total of 212 articles. Following an extensive review by researchers, a total of 43 articles were deemed potentially relevant to research aims.

RESULTS
Four articles from Ireland, the United States of America and the United Kingdom were identified. Key themes were: Benefits of client-centered occupational therapy for perinatal clients (physical, psychosocial, injury prevention, work, mother-infant bonding, co-occupation), barriers to the occupational therapy role, and need for further research.

CONCLUSION
Occupational therapists are equipped to strengthen a multidisciplinary team in supporting women through the complex changes and needs experienced during the transition into motherhood. Further research is needed to support this occupational therapy practice area that promotes the health and wellbeing of women transitioning into motherhood.