New Postpartum Mental Health Care Model in Latvia: Qualitative Evaluation by the Postpartum Women

Objectives
Globally nearly 50% of women with postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) remain undiagnosed and untreated. Currently, Latvia lacks a unified system for diagnosing and treating postpartum mental health problems. To address these challenges, a new postpartum mental health care model was developed. In this study, postpartum women evaluate the model’s acceptability and the key needs of women to be considered in model development.
Materials and Methods
To address the research questions (How do postpartum women evaluate the acceptability of the new model? What needs of women should be considered when developing the model?) an approach of qualitative comparison groups
within a qualitative research framework was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with postpartum women with (n=5) and without (n=5) PPD or PPA. Data were analyzed using a seven-stage acceptability framework and deductive thematic analysis.
Results
Interviewed women from both groups highlighted the family doctor’s role as coordinator and the “green corridor” principle as key strengths of the new model. Mentioned barriers to implementation included limited childcare, family doctor overload, short consultations, and logistical issues. Suggested improvements included child-friendly psychiatric support or remote consultations. Women in Latvia are entitled to a state-funded gynecologist visit six weeks postpartum. It would be beneficial also to offer a free appointment with a psychological support provider. Expanding training for both family doctors and paediatricians was also considered essential. Women with a diagnosis exhibited lower self-efficacy and greater concerns about the model’s burden due to limited social support.
Conclusions
In general, the postpartum women approve of the overall acceptability of the new model. This research underscores the critical need for innovative postpartum mental health care models, ensuring that logistical and systemic barriers do not impede access to mental health care services.