The burden of multiple sclerosis among postpartum women and self management's challenges: Pilot study of supportive program

Background: This study aims to determine the effect of multiple sclerosis supportive programs on mothers' self-management during postpartum.

Study design: A quasi-experimental, nonequivalent group design was utilized. Primigravida pregnant women between 35-37 weeks of gestation and recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis participated in two preparation sessions. While the first session during pregnancy was an open conversation about the delivery, the key topics of the second session were the nature of the postpartum cycle and the expected relapses.

Results: Seventy pregnant women with multiple sclerosis participated in this research. Results denoted a statistical difference between both groups regarding self-management in 6^th and 12^th weeks postpartum. The improvements were related to mothers' relationships with their health care providers and knowledge and information about multiple sclerosis during this transitional phase. On the other hand, there were no differences among both groups related to their levels of functional activities at 6^th and 12^th weeks postpartum. Although there was a slight deterioration in motor ability score among both groups at 12^th week's postpartum, 54.3% of the intervention group vs. 49% of the non-intervention group reported 100% absolute independence. Moreover, the total relapses in the three-month postpartum ranged between 1-6, increasing the frequency of relapses during the three-month postpartum with no statistically significant differences between both groups.

Conclusion: Conducting a multidisciplinary program to follow and counsel mothers with MS helps enhance self-management throughout the three-month postpartum period.