Lay summary
The weeks after birth are a high-risk time for new mothers. Severe sleep disruption and disturbed body clocks are common and can increase the risk of postpartum anxiety and depression. These challenges place strain on women, whānau and the health system and can contribute to unplanned returns to hospital. Midwives provide essential support during this period, but current postnatal care relies mainly on general advice. This limits the ability to identify early warning signs and deliver timely personalised support.
This project will test a new approach using wearable technology to objectively measure sleep and daily rhythms in the early postpartum period. Midwives will work with women, their whānau, and artificial intelligence tools to co-design personalised sleep strategies. The goal is to reduce early symptoms of postpartum anxiety and depression and prevent escalation to hospital revisits. This research will provide critical early evidence to support equitable postnatal care in Aotearoa.