Parental Well-being After Childbirth in Switzerland
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Mental Health, Physical Health, Postpartum, Parents. Basic parameters: from 14 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Switzerland
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Stress Of Co-parents Related to A Traumatic Experience of Birth Across Switzerland
Overview
Improving maternal and child health is a global priority, with increasing emphasis on ensuring women and their families not only survive but also thrive after childbirth. While high-income countries like Switzerland provide strong antenatal and intrapartum care, the quality of postnatal care often lags behind, despite the critical physical, mental, and social needs of the postpartum period. Studies indicate high rates of mental distress, physical pain, and sexual discomfort among mothers, alongside a lack of research on the well-being of co-parents. The main question this cohort study aims to answer is: how do the health and well-being of mothers and co-parents evolve during the first year after childbirth? Participants will complete four online questionnaires: the first within the first few days after birth, followed by additional assessments at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. This comprehensive approach seeks to inform policy and improve evidence-based postnatal care practices, benefiting approximately 80,000 families annually in Switzerland.
Primary outcome measures
- Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder [Time frame: 2 months postpartum]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- Postpartum depression and anxiety [Time frame: At birth, and at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum]
- Health-related quality of life [Time frame: At birth, and at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum]
- Physical recovery [Time frame: At birth (Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10), and at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum (pain and incontinence)]
- Sexual health [Time frame: 6 and 12 months postpartum]
- Hospitalisations [Time frame: From one year before to one year after childbirth]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Women who give birth in a participating maternity unit or birth center during the study period.
- Partner of a participating women: the partner must be designated by the mother, live with her at the time of birth, and only one partner can be included per mother.
- Gestational age at birth: ≥22+0 weeks and/or birthweight ≥500 grams
- Age: Participants must be 14 years or older.
- Language Proficiency: Participants must have sufficient proficiency in one of Switzerland's main official languages (German, French, Italian) or English to ensure accurate communication and comprehension of study materials.
Exclusion criteria
- Refusal to participate
- Inability to provide informed consent
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Switzerland · 2 centers
- Haute Ecole de Santé Genève — Geneva
- ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences — Winterthur
Publications
- Gaucher L, Desplanches T, Sormani J, Cattani G, Mueller AN, Celetta E, Widmer IN, Lorthe E, Grylka-Baeschlin S. Health and well-being of mothers and co-parents during the first 12 months post partum: study protocol of the national SOCRATES cohort study in Switzerland. BMJ Open. 2026 Jun 4;16(6):e121443. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-121443. PMID 42242736
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06886841 · G700026130408 · 220494