NCT06996067 Essential Coaching Postpartum: Evaluating a Parent-focused Postpartum Text Message Program in Nova Scotia
| NCT ID | NCT06996067 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | IWK Health Centre |
| Condition | Parenting Self-efficacy |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 332 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-06-05 |
| Primary Completion | 2027-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 332 participants in total. It began in 2025-06-05 with a primary completion date of 2027-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The transition to parenthood is often an exciting yet hard period for parents. In the first year after a new baby, many parents feel less confident, have more anxiety and depression, and feel more isolated and alone. During this time, many parents use their phones and the Internet to seek out information and support. Thus, the investigators are exploring the opportunity of using mHealth, or mobile health, to provide information directly to parents after the birth of their first baby. The investigators have developed a program for both birthing and non-birthing parents called the Essential Coaching Postpartum program. This program provides 332 parents with text messages sent for 6 weeks after birth to share information on newborn care and parent outcomes. This will be tailored based on whether they are the birthing parent (Essential Coaching for Every Mother) or non-birthing parent (Essential Coaching for Every Partner). The investigators will evaluate this program by comparing a group of parents who receive the messages to a group of parents do not receive any text messages. To determine the success of the Essential Coaching Postpartum program, the investigators will compare parents' confidence, anxiety, depression, and co-parenting between the two groups after six-weeks and six-months. The investigators believe that parents who get the text messages will have higher confidence and co-parenting outcomes and lower anxiety and depression. The investigator's goal with the Essential Coaching Postpartum program is to help make the first few weeks after a new baby less stressful by providing information and support directly to parents that they know they can trust.
Eligibility Criteria
INCLUSION CRITERIA: Eligible birthing parents will * early postpartum (\<7 days) with their first child * understand English * have a cell phone with text and data * be 18 years of age or old * live in Nova Scotia. Eligible non-birthing parents will: * be early postpartum (\<7 days) with their first child * understand English * have a cell phone with text and data * be 18 years of age or old * live in Nova Scotia. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Participants (both birthing and non-birthing parents) will be excluded if: * newborn die or are expected to die prior to leaving the hospital * they have no access to mobile phone, either personal or shared * unwilling to receive SMS messages * decline or withdraw to participate * participated in a previous iteration of this project (e.g., either the development or evaluation).
Contact & Investigator
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06996067 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Parenting Self-efficacy. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06996067 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06996067 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at justine.dol@iwk.nshealth.ca for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06996067 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Halifax, Canada.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06996067 clinical trial?
NCT06996067 is sponsored by IWK Health Centre. The trial plans to enroll 332 participants.