Perinatal and Maternal Health in Occupational Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions from providers
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Occupational therapists help mothers and their babies function in their occupations (anything that you do that occupies your time). For mothers, this may include caring for a child (lactation, breastfeeding, supporting development, feeding, sleep, playing with a child etc.). For infants this may include feeding, sleeping, playing, moving and bonding. Activities that take place between a mother and a baby including most all of those listed above, are called co-occupations. Co-occupations actively involve both mother and child and really cannot be separated. Because of this, a maternal health occupational therapist will often work with a mother and baby pair (also called a dyad) to support confidence, competence and education for the co-occupations they need to do during the day. Additionally, a maternal health occupational therapist may work directly with a mother to create personalized health strategies, improve physical comfort during pregnancy and postpartum, and provide education for managing transitions related to motherhood.
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Maternal health occupational therapists play a vital part in managing pain, suggesting ergonomic adjustments, home environment modifications and offering mental health support during the physical, and mental changes during pregnancy. They help manage pregnancy-related discomforts, provide education of physical and mental changes during pregnancy, and implement strategies for rest and energy conservation.
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During the physical recovery from birth and pregnancy, maternal health occupational therapists can assist in education on newborn care, lactation and breastfeeding support. They can also helps mothers and families manage postpartum mental health challenges, provide pain management strategies and educate families on supporting their infant’s development. They may provide strategies for energy management, support in establishing new routines, and aid in addressing developmental concerns with infants.
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Maternal health occupational therapy provides holistic healthcare that considers not only the mother, but her child, her support system and her environment. Occupational therapists need to work with other birth and maternal health professionals in their community to refer when other specialized support is needed for baby, mother or the family. Collaboration ensures a holistic approach to care, addressing both physical and mental health needs during the perinatal period.
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Matrescence is a word coined in the 1970s by anthropologist Dana Raphael (1926-2016), who also coined the term 'doula'. Matrescence refers to the physical (body), hormonal (physiological), mental (mind), social and political transition to becoming a mother. While it could refer to the transition from non-mother to mother, matrescence can also refer to each transition of mothering a new child, whether by the birth mother, and adoptive mother, or a person who takes on a new role as a mother.
FAQs
By Infant, Perinatal, Maternal and Birth Professionals
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Occupational therapists provide support in changes in roles, routines and occupations using occupational performance coaching and individualized interventions for prospective parents during the process of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) or conception planning.
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Maternal health occupational therapists play a vital part in managing pain, suggesting ergonomic adjustments, home environment modifications and offering mental health support during the physical, and mental changes during pregnancy.
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During the physical recovery from birth and pregnancy, maternal health occupational therapists can assist in education on newborn care, lactation and breastfeeding support. They can also helps mothers and families manage postpartum mental health challenges, provide pain management strategies and educate families on supporting their infant’s development.
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A fieldwork placement, volunteer position, and continuing education focused on perinatal care, pregnancy, birth and postpartum can be a good start. You may be able to find a maternal health occupational therapist who will take on students during level II or doctoral fieldwork experiences.
FAQs
By Occupational Therapy Students
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Occupational therapists can work with community organizations and form partnerships to promote maternal health. As healthcare professionals, OT practitioners have a valuable voice and perspective in supporting mothers and families during matrescence, the transition to motherhood.
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Online platforms and specialized professional development offered by The Lactation OT, OTs Gone Rogue, and The Functional Pelvis have specialized occupational therapy courses relevant to maternal and perinatal health. The Network by Maternal Health OT, a virtual, subscciption-based community started by occupational therapists currently working in maternal and perinatal health, offers mentorship and resources to a small group of maternal health OT practitioners and students and will be premiering in 2024.
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Interdisciplinary networking and collaboration may be one of the most important aspects of providing the best maternal health and wellness. Working with lactation consultants, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, dentists, midwives, doulas, nurses, OBGYNs and pediatricians (just to name a few!) is necessary to ensure holistic care for both mother and baby.
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Maternal health occupational therapy is needed everywhere and will be a common clinical setting in the near future. OT entrepreneurs are needed to work in this specialty setting that is rooted in health, wellness and prevention, bringing it outside of the medical model and into our communities. Because it is a new practice setting with a non-traditional population and within a discipline not commonly recognized in maternal health, occupational therapists starting a private practice in maternal health need to continue to collaborate to grow in this much-needed setting.
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Seek continuing education in perinatal care, acquire relevant certifications if possible, and find mentorship from experienced and passionate maternal health practitioners.