Perinatal and Postpartum App Use

Building on our knowledge of apps, there is a high need to identify ways to identify and provide support for mothers who are in this very important stage of their life.

Stemming from what we have learned from our previous app work, we sought to identify what perinatal/postpartum mobile app tools exist now which can meet the needs of this group. Unfortunately, apps exist in research and in the public domain, but many of them do not meet the standards that we would like to see when using these tools in practice. Such as risk for privacy concerns, lack of updates, or cost prohibitive. Subsequently, we are working on asking mothers if they would use an app for this time in their life and, if so what they would want to see in this app. The results of this information will inform our next steps in developing or adapting a mobile app tool to meet the needs of these mothers.

Learn more about our work related to Perinatal Depression in this brief video: Smartphone App Interventions

Selected Citations

Dinkel, D., Lu, K. John, J.,  Snyder, K., & Jacobson, L.T. (2021). A cross-sectional examination of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep between adults with and without children in the home using NHANES.  Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Advance online publication.  https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0490.

Snyder, K.,  Rech, J.P., Masuda, K.,  Dinkel D. (2021). Perspectives of infant active play: A qualitative comparison of working versus stay-at-home parents.  BMC Public Health. 21(250) 1-9.  https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10286-x [doi.org]

Mathews, T., Hayer, S.,  Dinkel, D., Hanish, A., Cordts, K., Rasmussen, H., & Moore, T. (2023). Maternal-child microbiome and impact on growth and neurodevelopment in infants and children: A scoping review.  Biological Research for Nursing, 25(3), 454-468.  https://doi.org/10.1177/10998004221151179 [doi.org]

Dinkel, D., Snyder, K.,  Chaudhary, P ., DeVeney S. (2023). A qualitative comparison case study exploring perceptions of infants’ physical activity, and communication by parents, childcare providers, and healthcare providers.  Global Pediatrics. 3(March 2023), 100039.  https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12908 [doi.org]

Dinkel, D.,  Lujan, C.,  Johnson, J., Dyksterhuis, D., Armstrong, J., Dai, H.D., Qiu, F., & Bice, M. (2023). Feasibility of a mental wellbeing program for rural family childcare home providers.  Early Childhood Education Journal.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01508-5 [doi.org]

Dinkel, D.,  Hein, N., Snyder, K., Siahpush, M., Maloney, S., Smith, L., Farazi, P., Hanson, C. (2020). The impact of body mass index and sociodemographic factors on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behaviors of women with young children: A cross-sectional examination.  Women’s Health,  16, 1-9.  https://doi.org/10.1177/1745506519897826 [doi.org]

Snyder, K., Hanson, C., Hill, J., &  Dinkel, D. (2019). Perceptions of physical activity while breastfeeding using the self-determination theory.  Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, 43(4), 180-187.  https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000146 [dx.doi.org]

Snyder, K. &  Dinkel, D. (2019). Mental and Physical Support (MAPS) for Moms: Preliminary findings from a prenatal health support program.  Integrative Medicine Research. 8(1), 8-14.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2018.10.002 [doi.org]