The impact of postpartum in-home and telephone supportive counseling on maternal quality of life: A randomized controlled clinical trial

This study aimed at examining the effect of postpartum in-home and telephone supportive counseling on the quality of life (QoL) as primary outcome and maternal and neonatal outcomes as secondary objectives. This randomized clinical trial was performed on 93 women in Tabriz, Iran, who were randomly assigned into three groups of telephone, home supportive counseling, or control. Supportive counseling was provided on days 3-5, 7-9, and 20-25 postpartum. The QoL questionnaire was completed at 10-15 days postpartum. Infant birth weight and one-month weight were recorded. At 42-60 days postpartum, breastfeeding status, the number of infant medical visits, and the frequency of maternal-neonatal complaints were documented. Data were analyzed using ANCOVA and chi-square tests. The QoL in the telephone counseling group was higher than other groups (<i>p</i> = .008). There was no significant difference between groups in maternal and neonatal outcomes (<i>p</i> > .05). Telephone supportive counseling can improve mothers' QoL.