A rapid review of digital health applications supporting self-care during pregnancy and postpartum period

BACKGROUND: With the growing adoption of mobile technologies, mHealth applications have emerged as valuable tools for enhancing maternal healthcare by providing accessible and flexible support throughout pregnancy and postpartum period. Despite their widespread use, limited evidence exists on how these apps are designed and evaluated for self-care, highlighting the need for a structured review. METHODS: A rapid review was conducted using a structured search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies focusing on digital applications delivered through mobile or web-based platforms that support self-care during pregnancy and postpartum. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, study protocols, and development papers published from 2015 to 2025. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized to examine app features, theoretical foundations, and evaluation strategies. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included, primarily evaluating mobile health (mHealth) interventions during pregnancy and postpartum period. The applications predominantly targeted mental health, lifestyle behaviors, and health literacy. Randomized controlled trials were the most common study design. Although several studies applied behavioral theories such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Social Cognitive Theory, many lacked explicit theoretical frameworks. CONCLUSIONS: mHealth applications show promise in supporting maternal self-care, particularly for postpartum mental health. However, many interventions lack theoretical grounding and long-term evidence. Future efforts should prioritize scalable, theory-based, and culturally tailored designs to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.