Fourth-Trimester Nurse-Led Transition Program: Impact on Maternal Self-Management, Warning-Sign Recognition, and Continuity of Postpartum Care
5 affiliations
- 1Assistant professor,Maternal and Newborn Health Hursing, Faculty of Nursing, Cairo University Egypt. -Assistant professor, College of Nursing, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, Saudia Arabia
- 2Fellow in Menoufia University Hospital Continuing Medical Education and Training Unit -Lecturer of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Al Ryada University for Science and Technology ,
- 3Assistant prof of Family and community Health Nursing, Faculity of nursing,Sohag University
- 4Lecturer at Community Health Nursing - Faculty of Nursing - Beni-Suef University
- 5Lecturer of Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Innovation University, Egypt
Abstract
Background: The fourth trimester, defined as the first 12 weeks following childbirth, represents a critical period for maternal physical recovery, psychological adjustment, and adaptation to motherhood. Inadequate maternal self-management, limited recognition of postpartum warning signs, and discontinuity of healthcare services may increase the risk of delayed identification of complications. A nurse-led transition program integrating outpatient care with home follow-up may improve maternal outcomes and promote continuity of postpartum care. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a nurse-led fourth-trimester transition program on maternal self-management, warning-sign recognition, and continuity of postpartum care. Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was used. A convenience sample of 100 postpartum mothers was recruited from obstetric and postnatal outpatient clinics at Sohag University Hospitals. Each participant was followed for 12 weeks after childbirth, with subsequent home visits to monitor maternal health, reinforce self-care practices, assess recognition of postpartum warning signs, and support continuity of care. The overall study was conducted over 12 months. Data were collected using four tools: a structured maternal assessment interview, a maternal self-management assessment scale, a postpartum warning-sign recognition questionnaire, and a postpartum care continuity assessment tool. Results: The study evaluated changes in maternal self-management, postpartum warning-sign recognition, and continuity of postpartum care following implementation of the nurse-led transition program. Numerical findings, including pretest–posttest differences and statistical significance, should be reported according to the actual analyzed study data. Conclusion: The nurse-led fourth-trimester transition program provided an integrated approach to postpartum nursing care by combining outpatient services with structured home follow-up. Its potential benefits include improved maternal self-management, enhanced recognition of postpartum warning signs, and better continuity of care. The magnitude of these benefits must be determined from the actual study findings. Recommendations: Integrating structured nurse-led transition programs into routine postpartum services is recommended for further evaluation. Future studies should consider comparison groups and longer follow-up periods to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of such interventions.
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BibTeX
@article{shahin2026fourthtrimester,
title = {{Fourth-Trimester Nurse-Led Transition Program: Impact on Maternal Self-Management, Warning-Sign Recognition, and Continuity of Postpartum Care}},
author = {Eman Mohammed Eraky Shahin and Rehab Sabry Moustafa Hawana and Omima Mostafa Abd Elzaher Mohamed and Ebtesam Ali Mohamed and Huda Ebrahim Elsayeid},
journal = {Egyptian Journal of Health Care},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.21608/ejhc.2026.536465},
url = {https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2026.536465},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Fourth-Trimester Nurse-Led Transition Program: Impact on Maternal Self-Management, Warning-Sign Recognition, and Continuity of Postpartum Care
AU - Eman Mohammed Eraky Shahin
AU - Rehab Sabry Moustafa Hawana
AU - Omima Mostafa Abd Elzaher Mohamed
AU - Ebtesam Ali Mohamed
AU - Huda Ebrahim Elsayeid
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/08
JO - Egyptian Journal of Health Care
DO - 10.21608/ejhc.2026.536465
UR - https://doi.org/10.21608/ejhc.2026.536465
AB - Background: The fourth trimester, defined as the first 12 weeks following childbirth, represents a critical period for maternal physical recovery, psychological adjustment, and adaptation to motherhood. Inadequate maternal self-management, limited recognition of postpartum warning signs, and discontinuity of healthcare services may increase the risk of delayed identification of complications. A nurse-led transition program integrating outpatient care with home follow-up may improve maternal outcomes and promote continuity of postpartum care. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a nurse-led fourth-trimester transition program on maternal self-management, warning-sign recognition, and continuity of postpartum care. Methods: A quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design was used. A convenience sample of 100 postpartum mothers was recruited from obstetric and postnatal outpatient clinics at Sohag University Hospitals. Each participant was followed for 12 weeks after childbirth, with subsequent home visits to monitor maternal health, reinforce self-care practices, assess recognition of postpartum warning signs, and support continuity of care. The overall study was conducted over 12 months. Data were collected using four tools: a structured maternal assessment interview, a maternal self-management assessment scale, a postpartum warning-sign recognition questionnaire, and a postpartum care continuity assessment tool. Results: The study evaluated changes in maternal self-management, postpartum warning-sign recognition, and continuity of postpartum care following implementation of the nurse-led transition program. Numerical findings, including pretest–posttest differences and statistical significance, should be reported according to the actual analyzed study data. Conclusion: The nurse-led fourth-trimester transition program provided an integrated approach to postpartum nursing care by combining outpatient services with structured home follow-up. Its potential benefits include improved maternal self-management, enhanced recognition of postpartum warning signs, and better continuity of care. The magnitude of these benefits must be determined from the actual study findings. Recommendations: Integrating structured nurse-led transition programs into routine postpartum services is recommended for further evaluation. Future studies should consider comparison groups and longer follow-up periods to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of such interventions.
SN - 3009-6766
SN - 1687-9546
ER -