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OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this project was to evaluate the preliminary impact of Essential Coaching for Every Mother on maternal self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. The secondary objective was to explore the acceptability of the Essential Coaching for Every Mother program provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A prospective pre-post study was conducted with first-time mothers in Nova Scotia, Canada, between July 15 and September 19, 2020. Participants completed a self-report survey at enrollment (after birth) and 6 weeks postpartum. Various standardized measures were used, and qualitative feedback on the program was also collected. Paired t tests were carried out to determine changes from baseline to follow-up on psychosocial outcomes, and qualitative feedback was analyzed through thematic analysis. RESULTS A total of 88 women enrolled. Maternal self-efficacy increased between baseline (B) and follow-up (F) (B: 33.33; F: 37.11, P = 0.000), whereas anxiety (STAI) declined (B: 38.49; F: 34.79, P = 0.004). In terms of acceptability, 89% of participants felt that the number of messages was just right, 84.5% felt the messages contained all the information they needed relative to caring for a newborn, and 98.8% indicated they would recommend this program to other new mothers. CONCLUSIONS Essential Coaching for Every Mother may play a role in increasing maternal self-efficacy and decreasing anxiety, although future work with a control group is needed to delineate the true effects of the program. Overall, mothers were satisfied with the Essential Coaching for Every Mother program and would recommend it for other mothers, during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

BACKGROUND After giving birth, women experience significant changes related to maternal self-efficacy and social support and are at risk of experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression. PROBLEM No studies have focused on the relationship between parity and infant age and their impact on psychosocial outcomes, particularly in a Canadian context. AIM To explore the relationship between parity and infant age on perceived maternal self-efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression. METHODS Women from three Canadian provinces within the first 6 months postpartum completed standardized online questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to examine the primary aim. FINDINGS A total of 561 women (56.5% primiparous, 55.1% infant 0-3 months) participated. There were significant main effects for both parity (P